beta

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) The second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, β), preceded by alpha (Α, α) and followed by gamma, (Γ, γ). In modern Greek it represents the voiced labiodental fricative sound of v found in the English words have and vase.
2. (countable, rare, uncountable) An academic grade better than a gamma and worse than an alpha.
3. (countable, uncountable) Average sensitivity of a security's price to overall securities market prices.
4. (uncountable) The phase of development after alpha testing and before launch, in which software, while not complete, has been released to potential users for testing.
5. (countable) Software in such a phase; a preliminary version.
6. (proscribed, uncountable) Any kind of content from early development that was not used in the final product.
7. (countable, uncountable) Information about a route which may aid someone in climbing it.
8. (countable, uncountable) A beta particle or beta ray.
9. (countable, uncountable) Sideslip angle.
10. (countable, uncountable) The range of engine power settings in which the blade pitch angle of a constant-speed propeller is controlled directly by the angle of the engine's throttle lever (rather than varying with engine torque and airspeed to maintain a constant propeller RPM), allowing the propeller to be disked to generate high drag and slow the aircraft quickly.
11. (alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable) Alternative spelling of betta (“fish in the genus Betta”).
12. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, slang, uncountable) Ellipsis of beta male, a man who is less competent or desirable than an alpha male.
13. (countable, slang, uncountable) In omegaverse fiction, a person of a secondary sex similar to normal humans, lacking the biological drives of alphas and omegas but generally capable of bonding and mating with either.

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Identifying a molecular position in an organic chemical compound.
2. (not-comparable) Designates the second in an order of precedence.
3. (not-comparable) Preliminary; prerelease. Refers to an incomplete version of a product released for initial testing.
4. (not-comparable) Associated with the beta male/female archetype.

Verb

1. To preliminarily release computer software for initial testing prior to final release.
2. (Internet) To beta-read a text.

Synonyms

beta coefficient

á

prefatory

prelim

preparatory

initial

preallable

beta parameter

prelusive

introductory

Translations

bêta

beta

beta

beta

βήτα

Beta

beta

beta

bèta

بيتا

préliminaire

προκαταρκτικός

beta

vorläufig

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbiːtə/

Etymology

From Ancient Greek βῆτα (bêta). Doublet of beth.