zero /zēˈrō/

1. A cipher
2. Nothing
3. The point from which the reckoning begins on scales, such as those of the barometer, etc
4. The lowest point (figurative)
5. Zero hour
6. A worthless person (informal)

To set at or adjust to zero

1. Having no measurable size, amount, etc
2. Not any (informal)

zēˈrōth adjective

Denoting a term in a series regarded as preceding the ‘first’ term

zero-base budgeting or zero-based budgeting noun

A system in which the budget of an organization, department, etc is drawn up anew each year without reference to any previous budget

zero-coupon bond or zero-dividend share noun (stock exchange)

A bond, or share, that carries no interest, but has a redemption price higher than its issue price

zero-emission vehicle noun

A motor vehicle that does not emit polluting waste (abbrev ZEV)

zero fuel weight noun

The weight of a loaded aircraft after all usable fuel has been consumed

zeˈro-grazing noun

A system of dairy farming in which the cattle are kept indoors and cut grass is brought to them, thus avoiding the wastage caused by conventional grazing

zero hour noun

The exact time (hour, minute and second) fixed for launching an attack or beginning an operation

zeˈro-hour or zeˈro-hours contract noun

An employment contract that requires a worker to be available at certain times but does not oblige the employer to offer him or her work

zero option noun

1. A proposal, orig made by President Reagan of the United States, to limit or abandon the deployment of (medium range) nuclear missiles if the opposing side does likewise
2. (loosely) a proposal to abandon or eliminate a particular range, category, division, etc

zeˈro-point energy noun (physics)

Total energy at the absolute zero of temperature

zero-power reactor noun

A nuclear reactor, used for experimental purposes, in which there is no significant build-up of fission products and no cooling is required

zēˈro-rate transitive verb

To assess at a zero rate of value-added tax

zeˈro-raˈted adjective

Used of goods on which the purchaser pays no value-added tax and on which the seller can claim back any value-added tax already paid by him or her

zeˈro-raˈting noun

zeˈro-sum adjective

Of a game, etc, in which the total cumulative gains equal the total cumulative losses

zero tolerance noun

Total non-tolerance of something, esp a political or social wrong

zeˈro-valent adjective (chem)

Incapable of combining with other atoms

zeˈro-zeˈro adjective (meteorology and aeronautics)

Of conditions in which cloud ceiling and horizontal visibility are both zero

zero-zero (or sometimes double zero) option noun

A proposal which extends the zero option (qv above) to include also intermediate (300–600 mile) range missiles

absolute zero see under absolute

zero in (on) (informal)

1. To direct oneself straight towards (a target)
2. To focus one's attention or energies on, as if on a target
3. To aim for or move towards

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