zero

Zero is a numerical figure which is defined as the lack of any quantity.

(noun)

An example of zero is no cookies left in the jar.

The definition of zero is having no measurable growth or quantity.

(adjective)

A soccer team with no points is an example of a team with a zero score.

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See zero in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. zeros or zeroes

  1. the symbol or numeral 0, representing the complete absence of any quantity or magnitude
  2. the point, marked 0, from which positive or negative quantities are reckoned on a graduated scale, as on a thermometer; specif.,
    1. on a centigrade thermometer, the freezing point of water
    2. on a Fahrenheit thermometer, a point 32° below the freezing point of water
  3. a temperature that causes a thermometer to register zero
  4. the point intermediate between positive and negative quantities
  5. nothing
  6. the lowest point: his chances of success sank to zero
  7. Gunnery a sight setting for a range, allowing for both elevation and windage

Origin: Fr zéro < It zero < Ar ṣifr, cipher

adjective

  1. of or at zero
  2. without measurable value
  3. Informal not any; no: a snack having zero cholesterol
  4. Aeron.
    1. designating or of a ceiling that is at or near the ground, specif. one at a height of fifty feet or lower
    2. designating or of visibility along the ground regarded as within the limit of a few feet
  5. Linguis. designating a hypothetical inflectional form: the plural of deer is said to be formed by the addition of a zero allomorph of the plural morpheme

transitive verb zeroed, zeroing

to adjust (an instrument, etc.) to a zero point or to an arbitrary point from which all positive and negative readings are to be measured

See zero in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ze·ros or ze·roes
  1. The numerical symbol 0; a cipher.
  2. Mathematics
    a. The identity element for addition.
    b. A cardinal number indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration.
    c. An ordinal number indicating an initial point or origin.
    d. An argument at which the value of a function vanishes.
  3. The temperature indicated by the numeral 0 on a thermometer.
  4. A sight setting that enables a firearm to shoot on target.
  5. Informal One having no influence or importance; a nonentity: a manager who was a total zero.
  6. The lowest point: His prospects were approaching zero.
  7. A zero-coupon bond.
  8. Informal Nothing; nil: Today I accomplished zero.
adjective
  1. Of, relating to, or being zero.
  2. a. Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value.
    b. Informal Absent, inoperative, or irrelevant in specified circumstances: “The town has . . . practically no opportunities for amusement, zero culture” (Robert M. Adams).
  3. Meteorology
    a. Designating a ceiling not more than 16 meters (52 feet) high.
    b. Limited in horizontal visibility to no more than 55 meters (180 feet).
  4. Linguistics Of or relating to a morpheme that is expected by an established, regular paradigm but has no spoken or written form. Moose has a zero plural; that is, its plural is moose.
transitive verb ze·roed, ze·ro·ing, ze·roes
To adjust (an instrument or a device) to zero value.
Phrasal Verbs: zero in
a. To aim or concentrate firepower on an exact target location.
b. To adjust the aim or sight of by repeated firings.
To converge intently; close in: The children zeroed in on the display of toys in the store window. zero out To eliminate (a budget or budget item) by cutting off funding. To reduce to zero.

Origin:

Origin: Italian

Origin: , from alteration of Medieval Latin zephirum

Origin: , from Arabic ṣifr, nothing, cipher; see cipher

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