Alpha

[Gr.] The first letter of the Greek alphabet, answering to our A, and written A a. In the Holy Scriptures, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet, signify the beginning and end, or the first and the last; i. e. before and after all things. They are therefore used as a symbol of the Divine Being. "I am Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the end, the first and the last." - Rev. xxii. 18. Alpha, in California, a post-village of Nevada co., 18 m. E. of Nevada city. Alpha, in Kentucky , a post-office of Clinton co. Alpha, in Ohio , a post-village of Greene co., about 9 m. E S.E. of Dayton. Alphabet, n . [From Alpha and Beta , the two first letters of the Greek alphabet; perhaps derived from the Heb., which gives to the correspondent letters the names Aleph , Beth .] The name given to the series of letters used in different countries at different times. For information respecting the origin of letters, the relation between the different alphabets, and the different systems on which they are based, see WRITING. bet. Alphabet, v . a . To range in the order of the alphabet Alphabetarian, n. A scholar who learns the alpha Alphabetic, and Alphabetical, a. In the order of the alphabet; according to the series of letters; pertaining to the alphabet. Alphabetically, adv . In an alphabetical manner; according to the order of the letters. Alphabetize', v. a. To cla or arrange in alpha betical order. Al'phæus, [Gr. alphaios , a you sand, from the Heb. aleph, a chief. Alphæus, father of St. James the Minor, was the husband of Mary, believed to have been sister to the holy virgin; for which reason James is called the Lord's brother; but the term brother is too general in its application to fix their relation, though the fact is probable. Many are of the opinion that Cleophas, mentioned in Luke xxiv. 18, is the same as A .; Alphæus being his Greek name, and Cleophas his Hebrew, or Syriac name, according to the custom of that time, when men had often two names. Alpharetta, in Georgia , a post-village, cap. of Milton co., abt. 28 m. N. by E. of Atlanta, Alphen'ic, n. [Fr. alphenie ; Ar. al - fanid , whitest.] ( Med .) The white barley sugar; sugar-candy. Alpheus, or ALPHEIUS. ( Myth . ) A river of Peloponnesus, rising in Arcadia, and falling into the Ionian sea, now called Rofia. The god of this river fell in love with the nymph Arethusa, and pursued her till she was changed into a fountain by Diana.