Α, ἄλφα, τό, the first letter of the greek alphabet, opening the series which the letter omega ω closes. Hence, the expression ἐγώ εἰμί τό Α (L T Tr WH ἄλφα) καί τό Ω (Ὦ L WH), Rev 1:8; Rev 1:11 Rec., which is explained by the appended words ἡ ἀρχή καί τό τέλος, Rev 21:6, and by the further addition ὁ πρῶτος καί ὁ ἔσχατος, Rev 22:13. On the meaning of the phrase cf. Rev 11:17; Isa 41:4; Isa 44:6; Isa 48:12; (especially B. D. American edition, p. 73). Α, when prefixed to words as an inseparable syllable, is:

1. privative (στερητικόν), like the Latinin-, the English un-, giving a negative sense to the word to which it is prefixed, as ἀβαρής; or signifying what is contrary to it, as ἄτιμος, ἀτιμόω; before vowels generally αν(, as in ἀναίτιος.

2. copulative (ἀθροιστικόν), akin to the particle ἅμα (cf. Curtius, § 598), indicating community and fellowship, as in ἀδελφός, ἀκόλουθος. Hence, it is:

3. intensive (ἐπιτατικόν), strengthening the force of terms, like the Latincon in composition; as ἀτενίζω from ἀτενής (yet cf. Winers grammar, 100 (95)). This use, however, is doubted or denied now by many (e. g. Lob. Path. Element. i. 34f). Cf. Kühner, i. 741, § 339 Anm. 5; (Jelf, § 342 δ.); Alexander Buttmann (1873) gram. § 120 Anm. 11; (Donaldson, gram., p. 334; New Crat