Alpha 0001 # a {al'fah}; of Hebrew origin; the first letter of

the alphabet; figuratively, only (from its use as a numeral) the

first: -- {Alpha}. Often used (usually an, before a vowel) also

in composition (as a contraction from 427) in the sense of

privation; so, in many words, beginning with this letter;

occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of 260).[ql

~~~~~~