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| ze·ro [ zrō ] |
noun (plural ze·ros or ze·roes) |
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| Definition: |
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1. symbol 0: the numerical symbol 0, representing the absence of any quantity or magnitude
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2. number with value of 0: the number that, when added to another number, results in that number, e.g. 0 + 4 = 4
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3. starting point for values on gauge: the starting or center point for values on a counter, scale, or gauge
  Set the odometer to zero.
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4. low temperature: the temperature indicated by 0 on a thermometer scale
It got down to zero last night.
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5. low point: the lowest possible point or degree
Her spirits are at zero.
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6. nothing: nothing or nil
They beat us five to zero.
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7. U.S. failure: somebody who is regarded as a complete failure
(
informal insult
)
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8. linguistics abstract realization of morpheme: a variant form of a morpheme allomorph that is purely abstract and does not exist in any physical phonetic form. An example of a zero allomorph in English is the plural marker of "sheep."
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9. arms setting on gun sight: a setting on a gun sight indicating the center of a target
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transitive verb (past and past participle ze·roed, present participle ze·ro·ing, 3rd person present singular ze·roes) |
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| Definition: |
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set something to zero: to set an instrument, gauge, counter, or similar measuring device to zero
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. nil: having no quantity or magnitude
zero inflation
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2. minimal: very small in amount or extent
(
informal
)
Our chances of winning are zero.
had zero confidence
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3. meteorology with limited visibility: describes a level of visibility limited to 15 m (50 ft) vertically or 50 m (165 ft) horizontally
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4. linguistics lacking usual expression of feature: characterized by the absence of a form or feature that exists elsewhere in the same linguistic context, e.g. an inflection or vowel change
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| [Early 17th century. Via French and Italian< Arabic ṣifr "emptiness"] |
