alpha : Idioms & Phrases

alpha and omega

noun the first and last; signifies God's eternity
noun the basic meaning of something; the crucial part

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alpha blocker

noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.

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alpha brass

noun an alloy of brass and zinc; used mainly for cold working

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alpha bronze

noun an alloy of copper and tin that can be worked

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alpha centauri

noun brightest star in Centaurus; second nearest star to the sun
Rigil; Rigil Kent.

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alpha crucis

noun the brightest star in the Southern Cross

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alpha decay

noun radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle

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alpha fetoprotein

noun an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly)
AFP; alpha fetoprotein.

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alpha foetoprotein

noun an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly)
AFP; alpha fetoprotein.

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alpha geminorum

noun a multiple star with 6 components; second brightest in Gemini; close to Pollux
Castor.

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alpha globulin

noun a globulin in blood plasma or serum that is alkaline and has great electrophoretic mobility

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alpha iron

noun a magnetic allotrope of iron; stable below 906 degrees centigrade

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alpha methyl dopa

noun antihypertensive drug (trade name Aldomet) used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Aldomet; methyldopa.

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alpha orionis

noun the second brightest star in Orion
Betelgeuse.

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alpha particle

noun a positively charged particle that is the nucleus of the helium atom; emitted from natural or radioactive isotopes

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alpha privative

noun the negative prefix a- or un-

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alpha radiation

noun the radiation of alpha particles during radioactive decay
alpha radiation.

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alpha ray

noun the radiation of alpha particles during radioactive decay
alpha radiation.

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alpha receptor

noun receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles)
alpha-adrenergic receptor; alpha receptor.

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alpha rhythm

noun the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed; occurs with a frequency of 8-12 hertz
alpha rhythm.

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alpha software

noun a first release of a software product that is usually tested only by the developers

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alpha test

noun (computer science) a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer

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alpha wave

noun the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed; occurs with a frequency of 8-12 hertz
alpha rhythm.

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alpha-adrenergic blocker

noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.

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alpha-adrenergic blocking agent

noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.

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alpha-adrenergic receptor

noun receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles)
alpha-adrenergic receptor; alpha receptor.

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alpha-adrenoceptor

noun receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles)
alpha-adrenergic receptor; alpha receptor.

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alpha-beta brass

noun a brass that has more zinc and is stronger than alpha brass; used in making castings and hot-worked products
yellow metal; Muntz metal.

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alpha-blocker

noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.

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alpha-interferon

noun a form of interferon that is produced endogenously and commercially for its pharmacological effects (including regulation of the immune system and antiviral and antineoplastic effects)

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alpha-linolenic acid

noun a polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms; the only omega-3 fatty acid found in vegetable products; it is most abundant in canola oil; a fatty acid essential for nutrition

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alpha-lipoprotein

noun a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood; composed of a high proportion of protein and relatively little cholesterol; high levels are thought to be associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis
HDL; high-density lipoprotein.

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alpha-naphthol

noun an isomer of naphthol used in dyes

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alpha-naphthol test

noun biochemical indicator of the presence of carbohydrates in a solution; if carbohydrates are present a violet ring is formed by reaction with alpha-naphthol in the presence of sulfuric acid
Molisch's test; Molisch test; Molisch reaction.

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alpha-tocopheral

noun a potent form of vitamin E obtained from germ oils or by synthesis

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