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zero

[zeer-oh]
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noun, plural ze·ros, ze·roes.
  1. the figure or symbol 0, which in the Arabic notation for numbers stands for the absence of quantity; cipher.
  2. the origin of any kind of measurement; line or point from which all divisions of a scale, as a thermometer, are measured in either a positive or a negative direction.
  3. a mathematical value intermediate between positive and negative values.
  4. naught; nothing.
  5. the lowest point or degree.
  6. Linguistics. the absence of a linguistic element, as a phoneme or morpheme, in a position in which one previously existed or might by analogy be expected to exist, often represented by the symbol 0̷: Inflectional endings were reduced to zero. The alternant of the plural morpheme in “sheep” is zero.
  7. Ordnance. a sight setting for both elevation and windage on any particular range causing a projectile to strike the center of the target on a normal day, under favorable light conditions, with no wind blowing.
  8. Mathematics.
    1. the identity element of a group in which the operation is addition.
    2. (of a function, especially of a function of a complex variable) a point at which a given function, usually a function of a complex variable, has the value zero; a root.
  9. (initial capital letter) a single-engine Japanese fighter plane used in World War II.
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verb (used with object), ze·roed, ze·ro·ing.
  1. to adjust (an instrument or apparatus) to a zero point or to an arbitrary reading from which all other readings are to be measured.
  2. to reduce to zero.
  3. Slang. to kill (a congressional bill, appropriation, etc.): The proposed tax increase has been zeroed for the time being.
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adjective
  1. amounting to zero: a zero score.
  2. having no measurable quantity or magnitude; not any: zero economic growth.
  3. Linguistics. noting a hypothetical morphological element that is posited as existing by analogy with a regular pattern of inflection or derivation in a language, but is not represented by any sequence of phonological elements: the zero allomorph of “-ed” in “cut”; “Deer” has a zero plural.
  4. Meteorology.
    1. (of an atmospheric ceiling) pertaining to or limiting vertical visibility to 50 feet (15.2 meters) or less.
    2. of, relating to, or limiting horizontal visibility to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less.
  5. Finance. zero-coupon.
  6. being or pertaining to the precise time, as a specific hour or second, when something must or does happen, as the explosion of a nuclear weapon: in an underground shelter at zero second.
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Verb Phrases
  1. zero in, to aim (a rifle, etc.) at the precise center or range of a target.
  2. zero in on,
    1. to aim directly at (a target).
    2. to direct one's attention to; focus on; concentrate on.
    3. to converge on; close in on.
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Origin of zero

1595–1605; < Italian < Medieval Latin zephirum < Arabic ṣifr cipher
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for zero in on

zero

noun plural -ros or -roes
  1. the symbol 0, indicating an absence of quantity or magnitude; noughtFormer name: cipher
  2. the integer denoted by the symbol 0; nought
  3. the cardinal number between +1 and –1
  4. nothing; nil
  5. a person or thing of no significance; nonentity
  6. the lowest point or degreehis prospects were put at zero
  7. the line or point on a scale of measurement from which the graduations commence
    1. the temperature, pressure, etc, that registers a reading of zero on a scale
    2. the value of a variable, such as temperature, obtained under specified conditions
  9. a gunsight setting in which accurate allowance has been made for both windage and elevation for a specified range
  10. maths
    1. the cardinal number of a set with no members
    2. the identity element of addition
  11. linguistics
    1. an allomorph with no phonetic realization, as the plural marker of English sheep
    2. (as modifier)a zero form
  12. Also called: zero-coupon bond finance a bond that pays no interest, the equivalent being paid in its redemption valueCompare Zebra
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adjective
  1. having no measurable quantity, magnitude, etc
  2. meteorol
    1. (of a cloud ceiling) limiting visibility to 15 metres (50 feet) or less
    2. (of horizontal visibility) limited to 50 metres (165 feet) or less
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verb -roes, -roing or -roed
  1. (tr) to adjust (an instrument, apparatus, etc) so as to read zero or a position taken as zero
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determiner
  1. informal, mainly US no (thing) at allthis job has zero interest
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See also zero in

Word Origin

C17: from Italian, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic sifr empty, cipher
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for zero in on

zero

v.

in zero in, 1944, from zero (n.); the image is from instrument adjustments.

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zero

n.

c.1600, from Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic sifr "cipher," translation of Sanskrit sunya-m "empty place, desert, naught" (see cipher (n.)). A brief history of the invention of "zero" can be found here. Meaning "worthless person" is recorded from 1813. Zero tolerance first recorded 1972, originally U.S. political language.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
zero in on in Medicine

zero

(zîr′ō)
n. pl. ze•ros
  1. The numerical symbol 0, indicating the absence of quantity or mass.
  2. The temperature indicated by the numeral 0 on a thermometer.
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v.
  1. To adjust an instrument or device to zero value.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
zero in on in Science

zero

[zîr′ō]
  1. The numerical symbol 0, representing a number that when added to another number leaves the original number unchanged.
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A Closer Look: Although the origin of zero is controversial, some historians believe that it was invented by the Babylonians in about 500 BCE. In the sixth century, it was discovered by the Hindus and Chinese, and 700 years later, it reached the Western world via the Arabs. Zero is the only integer (whole number) that is neither positive nor negative. In a sense, zero makes negative numbers possible, as a negative number added to its positive counterpart always equals zero. When zero is added to or subtracted from a number, it leaves the number at its original value. Zero is essential as a position holder in the system known as positional notation. In the number 203, for example, there are two hundreds, zero tens, and three ones. Zero indicates that the value of the tens place is zero. In the number 1024, zero indicates that the value of the hundreds place is zero. Scientists use the term absolute zero (0° Kelvin) to refer to the (unattainable) theoretically lowest possible temperature, at which the kinetic energy of molecules is zero.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with zero in on

zero in on

1

Aim precisely at a target, as in They zeroed in on the last snipers. [c. 1940]

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2

Direct one's attention to, concentrate or focus on, as in We must zero in on the exact combination of ingredients, or The whole class zeroed in on the new assignment. This usage transfers aiming a firearm to directing one's attention. [Mid-1900s]

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3

Converge on, close in on, as in The children zeroed in on the electric train display. [Mid-1900s]

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.