Beta

Be"ta, n. [Gr. bh	a.]

Defn: The second letter of the Greek alphabet, B, b. See B, and cf. etymology of Alphabet. Beta (B, b) is used variously for classifying, as:

(a) (Astron.) To designate some bright star, usually the second brightest, of a constellation, as, b Aurigæ.

(b) (Chem.) To distinguish one of two or more isomers; also, to indicate the position of substituting atoms or groups in certain compounds; as, b-naphthol. With acids, it commonly indicates that the substituent is in union with the carbon atom next to that to which the carboxyl group is attached.