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