zetta-

1. a combining form that denotes a factor of the seventh power of 1,000 (10 21 ), used in the names of units of measure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zetta-¹

First recorded in 1990–95; possibly an alteration of Greek zêta, which is the sixth letter of the final version of the Greek alphabet (representing Latin z ). Greek zeta had the numerical value of seven: it replaced the original sixth letter of the Greek alphabet, wau, which was shaped like the Latin F and was pronounced like w, but the sound and the letter wau became obsolete in most Greek dialects during the 8th century b.c.

Example Sentences

Zetta gave $2.50 a week for a furnished hall bedroom and the use of a bath-room.

From Project Gutenberg