first letter of the alphabet

, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. As a numeral, = 1, = 1000. As a prefix, it appears to have at least two and perhaps three distinct senses: alpha αʹ α͵ (before a vowel, ) , as in , . ἀ- ἀν- ἄ-γνωστος ἄ-δικος negative , , indicating community and fellowship, as in , , . ἀ- ἁ- ἁ-πλοῦς ἀ-κολουθέω ἀ-δελφός copulative An force (LS, s. ), as in is sometimes assumed (but v. Boisacq, s.v.). intensive α ἀ-τενίζω

the first letter of the alphabet; figuratively, only (from its use as a numeral) the first:

--Alpha