'Zero' definitions:

Definition of 'zero'

(from WordNet)
adjective
Indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration; "a zero score" [syn: zero, 0]
adjective
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value; "the goal is zero population growth"
adjective
Indicating an initial point or origin
adjective
Of or relating to the null set (a set with no members)
noun
A quantity of no importance; "it looked like nothing I had ever seen before"; "reduced to nil all the work we had done"; "we racked up a pathetic goose egg"; "it was all for naught"; "I didn't hear zilch about it" [syn: nothing, nil, nix, nada, null, aught, cipher, cypher, goose egg, naught, zero, zilch, zip, zippo]
noun
A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number [syn: zero, 0, nought, cipher, cypher]
noun
The point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured [syn: zero, zero point]
noun
The sight setting that will cause a projectile to hit the center of the target with no wind blowing
verb
Adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value
verb
Adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun); "He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards" [syn: zero, zero in]

Definition of 'Zero'

From: GCIDE
  • Zero \Ze"ro\, n.; pl. Zerosor Zeroes. [F. z['e]ro, from Ar. [,c]afrun, [,c]ifrun, empty, a cipher. Cf. Cipher.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. (Arith.) A cipher; nothing; naught. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Zero in the Centigrade, or Celsius thermometer, and in the R['e]aumur thermometer, is at the point at which water congeals. The zero of the Fahrenheit thermometer is fixed at the point at which the mercury stands when immersed in a mixture of snow and common salt. In Wedgwood's pyrometer, the zero corresponds with 1077[deg] on the Fahrenheit scale. See Illust. of Thermometer. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero. [1913 Webster]
  • Absolute zero. See under Absolute.
  • Zero method (Physics), a method of comparing, or measuring, forces, electric currents, etc., by so opposing them that the pointer of an indicating apparatus, or the needle of a galvanometer, remains at, or is brought to, zero, as contrasted with methods in which the deflection is observed directly; -- called also null method.
  • Zero point, the point indicating zero, or the commencement of a scale or reckoning. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]