Beta Definition
bātə, bē-
noun
The second letter of the Greek alphabet.
American Heritage
The second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, β)
Webster's New World
The second item in a series or system of classification.
American Heritage
The second of a group or series.
Webster's New World
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.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- genus Beta
adjective
Being the second-ranked individual of one's sex. Used of social animals.
The beta male of the chimpanzee colony.
American Heritage
Designating an organic structural position.
Webster's New World
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.
American Heritage
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.
American Heritage
Of or relating to a beta test or the software or hardware involved in a beta test.
American Heritage
pronoun
Wiktionary
A scientific caste of people in the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
Wiktionary
verb
(computing) To preliminarily release computer software for initial testing prior to final release.
Wiktionary
(chiefly Internet) To beta-read a text.
Wiktionary
Origin of Beta
-
Greek bēta of Phoenician origin byt in Semitic roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Ancient Greek βῆτα (bēta)
From Wiktionary
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