subzero

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   below zero on a numerical scale, especially a temperature scale

   The rescue team worked through the night in subzero temperatures.

Formed from sub- ("under or below") + zero. The prefix comes from Latin sub; zero entered English through French and Italian from Medieval Latin zephirum, ultimately from Arabic sifr ("empty or nothing"). The compound is used chiefly for temperatures below the zero point of a scale.

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