View synonyms for beta

beta

[ bey-tuh; or, especially British, bee- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the second letter of the Greek alphabet (β, B).
the consonant sound represented by the second letter of the Greek alphabet.
Beta, Astronomy. a star that is usually the second brightest of a constellation:
The second brightest star in Taurus is Beta Tauri.
Chemistry.
1. one of the possible positions of an atom or group in a compound.
2. one of two or more isomeric compounds.
the second of any series, as in chemistry or physics.
Computers. the phase of hardware or software development in which a product is tested in the environment for which it was designed: beta test ( def 2 ).
Our newest product, currently in beta with new features being added regularly, is perfect for busy professionals who need to organize their calendars.
Also called be·ta co·ef·fi·cient [bey, -t, uh, koh-, uh, -fish-, uh, nt, bee, -], Stock Exchange. an arbitrary measure of the volatility of a given stock using an index of the volatility of the market as a whole:
A beta of 1.1 indicates a stock that is 10 percent more volatile than the market.
Beta, Trademark. a brand of tape format for VCR tape, incompatible with other formats. Compare VHS.
Chiefly British. a grade showing that a student is in the middle or second of three scholastic sections in a class. Compare alpha ( def 8 ), gamma ( def 9 ).
beta male ( def ).

adjective

Computers. being, relating to, or undergoing the phase of product development in which a product is tested in the environment for which it was designed: beta test ( def 2 ).
The beta version of the new game, featuring a four-player mode, will be unveiled next month.
1. (of an animal) having the second-highest rank in a dominance hierarchy:
  the beta female in a pack of meerkats.
2. Slang: Sometimes Disparaging. being or relating to a man who is perceived to be weak, mild-mannered, and unimpressive.

beta

/ ˈbiːtə /

noun

the second letter in the Greek alphabet (Β, β), a consonant, transliterated as b
the second highest grade or mark, as in an examination
modifier
1. involving or relating to electrons
  beta emitter
2. relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid
  beta iron
3. relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound

Beta

/ ˈbiːtə /

noun

foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation a star in a constellation, usually the second brightest
Beta Persei

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Word History and Origins

Origin of beta¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin, from Greek bêta, from Phoenician bt “house,” also the name of the second letter of the Phoenician alphabet; beth

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Word History and Origins

Origin of beta¹

from Greek bēta , from Hebrew; see beth

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Example Sentences

Find β Cassiopei, and imagine a line drawn from it to Polaris, and another line from Polaris to the zenith.

From Project Gutenberg

It is now agreed that the β variety is a mixture of the α and γ.

From Project Gutenberg

Between α and β Scorpionis the fine nebula 80 M may be looked for.

From Project Gutenberg

The change, however, may be due to the variation of β alone.

From Project Gutenberg

The movable part was, for instance, a movable wire αβ whose extremities α and β could slide along a fixed wire.

From Project Gutenberg

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