Definition:
Α, α, ἄλφα (which see), τό, indecl, alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. As a numeral, ά = 1, α = 1000. As a prefix, it appears to have at least two and perhaps three distinct senses: 1) ἀ- (before a vowel, ἀν-) negative, as in ἄ-γνωστος, ἄ-δικος. 2) ἀ, ἁ- copulative, indicating community and fellowship, as in ἁ-πλοῦς, ἀ-κολουθέω, ἀ-δελφός. 3) An intensive force (LS, s. α), as in ἀ-τενίζω is sometimes assumed (but see Boisacq, see word). (AS)