Aleph

/ˈɑːlɛf/ noun

Definition

The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, also used in mathematics and logic to represent infinite cardinal numbers.

Etymology

From Hebrew 'aleph,' originally meaning 'ox' (the letter's shape resembled an ox head). The Phoenicians borrowed this symbol, it became 'alpha' in Greek, and eventually 'A' in English.

Kelly Says

Aleph traveled from a cartoon ox-head doodle to representing infinity itself—mathematicians use aleph-null to describe how many natural numbers exist (answer: a different kind of infinity)!

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