Alef

/ˈɑ.lɛf/ noun

Definition

The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, representing a glottal stop and having a numerical value of 1 in Hebrew numerology.

Etymology

From Hebrew 'aleph,' meaning ox or cattle (the letter originally depicted an ox head), borrowed into English through direct transliteration.

Kelly Says

The Hebrew letter alef started as a picture of an ox—flip it upside down and you can still see the horns—but over centuries it transformed into an abstract symbol, showing how writing evolves from pictures to code.

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