beta
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be·ta
(bā′tə, bē′-)n.
1. The second letter of the Greek alphabet. See Table at alphabet.
2. The second item in a series or system of classification.
3. A mathematical measure of the sensitivity of rates of return on a portfolio or a given stock compared with rates of return on the market as a whole. A beta of 1.0 indicates that an asset closely follows the market; a beta greater than 1.0 indicates greater volatility than the market.
4. Astronomy The second brightest star in a constellation.
5. Computers The version of a software or hardware product used in a beta test.
adj.
1. Being the second-ranked individual of one's sex. Used of social animals: the beta male of the chimpanzee colony.
2. Chemistry
a. Being in the second position relative to a designated carbon atom in an organic molecule at which an atom or a group may be substituted.
b. Referring to the second of a group of isomers, or molecules of similar origin or properties, determined arbitrarily by those who discover or classify them. Used in combination: beta-estradiol
3. Computers Of or relating to a beta test or the software or hardware involved in a beta test.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
beta
(ˈbiːtə)n
1. (Letters of the Alphabet (Foreign)) the second letter in the Greek alphabet (Β, β), a consonant, transliterated as b
2. the second highest grade or mark, as in an examination
3. (General Physics) (modifier)
a. involving or relating to electrons: beta emitter.
b. relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid: beta iron.
c. relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound
[from Greek bēta, from Hebrew; see beth]
Beta
(ˈbiːtə)n
(Astronomy) (foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation) a star in a constellation, usually the second brightest: Beta Persei.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
be•ta
(ˈbeɪ tə; esp. Brit. ˈbi-)n., pl. -tas,
adj. n.
1. the second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, ß).
2. (cap.) the second brightest star in a constellation: Beta Tauri.
3. the second of any series.
adj. 4.
a. pertaining to one of the possible positions of an atom or group in a compound.
b. pertaining to one of two or more isomeric compounds.
[< Latin < Greek bêta < Semitic; compare Hebrew bēth]
Be•ta
(ˈbeɪ tə; esp. Brit. ˈbi-) Trademark. a videocassette tape format.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
beta
A test period for new software or hardware.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | beta - the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet Greek alphabet - the alphabet used by ancient Greeks alphabetic character, letter of the alphabet, letter - the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech; "his grandmother taught him his letters" |
| 2. |  Beta - beets caryophylloid dicot genus - genus of relatively early dicotyledonous plants including mostly flowers beet, Beta vulgaris, common beet - biennial Eurasian plant usually having a swollen edible root; widely cultivated as a food crop | |
| Adj. | 1. | beta - second in order of importance; "the candidate, considered a beta male, was perceived to be unable to lead his party to victory" |
| 2. |  beta - preliminary or testing stage of a software or hardware product; "a beta version"; "beta software"explorative, exploratory - serving in or intended for exploration or discovery; "an exploratory operation"; "exploratory reconnaissance"; "digging an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico"; "exploratory talks between diplomats" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
beta
beeta
ベータ
beta
beta
bêta
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
beta
n beta; — blocker beta-bloqueador m, beta-bloqueante m; — carotene betacaroteno; beta-hemolytic beta-hemolíticoEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.