zeroth

American  

[zeer-ohth] / ˈzɪər oʊθ /

adjective

1. coming in a series before the first.

   the zeroth level of energy.

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zeroth British  

/ ˈzɪərəʊð /

adjective

1. denoting a term in a series that precedes the term otherwise regarded as the first term

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Etymology

Origin of zeroth

First recorded in 1895–1900; zero + -th ¹

Example Sentences

Plus the zeroth law: "A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm."

From Salon

R refers to reproduction and 0 to the zeroth generation, as in patient zero.

From New York Times

“To zeroth order, our ideas of how these things formed seem to be vindicated,” he says.

From Scientific American

They also got a serious obesity epidemics, too much good cheap food and zeroth physical activity.

From New York Times

If 13 is the first term, can you find the zeroth term and finally nail down the elusive 14th term using the method of finite differences?

From New York Times