βῆτα
βῆτα
Β, β, , indecl., second letter of the Gr. alphabet: hence as numeral, βʼ δύο, δεύτερος, ,β 2.
β is the medial labial mute, between tenuis τ and asp. θ. The dialectic variations of β seem to be mostly due to uncertainties of pronunciation:
for γ, as βλήχων γληχών, βλέφαρον Doric γλέφαρον, βουνός γουνός· βεμβράς for μεμβράς, βροτός for μορτός (mortalis).
β is sometimes inserted between μλ, μρ to give a fuller sound, as in ἄμβροτος, μεσημβρία, γαμβρός, μέμβλεται.