beta : Idioms & Phrases

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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beta blocker

noun any of various drugs used in treating hypertension or arrhythmia; decreases force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system
beta blocker; beta-adrenergic blocking agent; beta-adrenergic blocker.

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beta blocker eyedrop

noun a treatment for glaucoma; the eyedrops reduce intraocular pressure by reducing the production of aqueous humor

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beta cell

noun a cell that produces insulin in the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas

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beta centauri

noun the second brightest star in Centaurus

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beta crucis

noun the second brightest star in the Southern Cross

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beta decay

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

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beta endorphin

noun an endorphin produced by the pituitary gland that suppresses pain

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beta globulin

noun a globulin in blood plasma that carries iron
siderophilin; transferrin.

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beta iron

noun an allotrope of iron that is the same as alpha iron except that it is nonmagnetic; stable between 768 and 906 degrees centigrade

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beta orionis

noun the brightest star in Orion
Rigel.

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beta particle

noun a high-speed electron or positron emitted in the decay of a radioactive isotope

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beta radiation

noun radiation of beta particles during radioactive decay
beta radiation; electron radiation.

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beta ray

noun radiation of beta particles during radioactive decay
beta radiation; electron radiation.

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beta 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 vasodilation and increased heart beat)
beta receptor; beta-adrenergic receptor.

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beta rhythm

noun the normal brainwave in the encephalogram of a person who is awake and alert; occurs with a frequency between 12 and 30 hertz
beta rhythm.

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beta software

noun software that has not yet been released but has received an alpha test and still has more bugs than a regular release
- beta software is usually available only to particular users who will test it

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beta test

noun (computer science) a second test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by an outside organization

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beta vulgaris

noun biennial Eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop
common beet; beet.

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beta vulgaris cicla

noun beet lacking swollen root; grown as a vegetable for its edible leaves and stalks
Swiss chard; chard plant; leaf beet; chard; spinach beet.

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beta vulgaris rubra

noun beet having a massively swollen red root; widely grown for human consumption
beetroot.

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beta vulgaris vulgaris

noun beet with a large yellowish root; grown chiefly as cattle feed
mangold; mangold-wurzel; mangel-wurzel.

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beta wave

noun the normal brainwave in the encephalogram of a person who is awake and alert; occurs with a frequency between 12 and 30 hertz
beta rhythm.

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beta-adrenergic blocker

noun any of various drugs used in treating hypertension or arrhythmia; decreases force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system
beta blocker; beta-adrenergic blocking agent; beta-adrenergic blocker.

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beta-adrenergic blocking agent

noun any of various drugs used in treating hypertension or arrhythmia; decreases force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system
beta blocker; beta-adrenergic blocking agent; beta-adrenergic blocker.

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beta-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 vasodilation and increased heart beat)
beta receptor; beta-adrenergic receptor.

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beta-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 vasodilation and increased heart beat)
beta receptor; beta-adrenergic receptor.

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beta-blocking agent

noun any of various drugs used in treating hypertension or arrhythmia; decreases force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system
beta blocker; beta-adrenergic blocking agent; beta-adrenergic blocker.

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beta-carotene

noun an isomer of carotene that is found in dark green and dark yellow fruits and vegetables

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beta-hydroxybutyric acid

noun beta derivative of hydroxybutyric acid that is found in the blood and urine in some cases of impaired metabolism

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beta-interferon

noun a form of interferon that is produced by fibroblasts and have antiviral effects; used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

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beta-lactamase

noun enzyme produced by certain bacteria that inactivates penicillin and results in resistance to that antibiotic
penicillinase.

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beta-lipoprotein

noun a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood; composed of moderate amount of protein and a large amount of cholesterol; high levels are thought to be associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis
low-density lipoprotein; LDL.

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beta-naphthol

noun an isomer of naphthol used in rubber as an antioxidant

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genus beta

noun beets
Beta.

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