zero

n.; pl. Zeros r Zeroes. [ F. zéro, from Ar. çafrun, çifrun, 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 ]

☞ Zero in the Centigrade, or Celsius thermometer, and in the Réaumur 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° 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 ]