aleph

[ ah-lif; Hebrew ah-lef ]

noun

1. the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
2. the glottal stop consonant or, alternatively, long vowel represented by this letter.

aleph

/ ˈɑːlɪf; ˈaːlɛf /

noun

1. the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet (א) articulated as a glottal stop and transliterated with a superior comma (`)

Word History and Origins

Origin of aleph¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Hebrew āleph, akin to eleph ox

Word History and Origins

Origin of aleph¹

Hebrew: ox

Example Sentences

Daneri is using the Aleph to write a terrible poem that minutely and pointlessly describes everything on earth.

From The Daily Beast

When I learned my ABCs, they taught us our Aleph-Bet at the same time.

From The Daily Beast

Commonly referred to under the symbol , the Hebrew letter, Aleph.

From Project Gutenberg

The first begins with Aleph, the second with Beth, and so on, the second verse of each pair not being counted in the scheme.

From Project Gutenberg

Each short clause begins with Aleph; each makes the same fervid resolve.

From Project Gutenberg

I give this suggestion with all proper diffidence, and with some genuine misgiving as to the “breathing aleph.”

From Project Gutenberg