gamma
UK[ˈɡæmə]US[ˈɡæmə]
n
The third letter of the Greek alphabet (Γ, γ)
n
A unit of magnetic field strength equal to one hundred-thousandth of an oersted
n
A measure of contrast in photographic or television images
n
The third item in a series or classification
Etymology
The word 'gamma' entered English in the late Middle English period, borrowed directly from the Greek letter name 'γάμμα' (gamma). This Greek term is of Semitic origin, likely derived from the Phoenician letter 'gīml', which meant 'throwing stick'. The Greeks adapted the Phoenician alphabet, and 'gamma' became the name for the third letter, representing the 'g' sound. In modern scientific and technical English, 'gamma' has been extended beyond its alphabetic origin to denote the third position in a series, a specific unit in physics, and a measure of contrast in imaging, illustrating how a simple borrowed term can acquire specialized abstract meanings.
Analysis
The word 'gamma' is a direct loanword from the Greek alphabet. It is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in English.
Examples
Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with the shortest wavelength.
In the Greek alphabet, beta comes after alpha, and gamma comes after beta.
Adjusting the gamma setting can significantly improve the picture quality on your monitor.