## Meanings
1. The number 0; no quantity or amount at all.
2. The point on a scale where measurement begins, especially of temperature.
3. None at all; not any.
4. To focus closely on or aim directly at something.

## Examples
- The conductor waited until the passenger count was zero.
- The temperature outside is ten degrees below zero.
- He scored a zero score on the first try.
- Investigators began to zero in on the cause of the fire.

## Synonyms
- nadir
- origin

## Antonyms
- pole

## Derived Forms
- aleph-zero
- net-zero
- non-zero
- sub-zero
- zero-day
- zero-dimensional
- zero-grade
- zero-knowledge
- zero-pass
- zero-rated
- zero-sum
- zeroise

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: zero
- Root: zēphirum
- Root: صِفْر
- Root: ص ف ر
- Root: शून्य

## Etymology
Collectively borrowed from Early Modern Spanish zero, Middle French zero, and (their etymon) Old Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zēphirum, from Arabic صِفْر (ṣifr, “nothing; cipher”), itself calqued from Sanskrit शून्य (śūnyá, “void; nothingness”). Doublet of cipher and chiffre. Cognate with Spanish cero and French zéro.

## AI Etymology
Zero was collectively borrowed from Early Modern Spanish zero, Middle French zero, and (their etymon) Old Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zēphirum, from Arabic صِفْر (ṣifr, “nothing; cipher”), itself calqued from Sanskrit शून्य (śūnyá, “void; nothingness”). Doublet of cipher and chiffre. Cognate with Spanish cero and French zéro. In present-day use, it can mean the number 0; no quantity or amount at all, or the point on a scale where measurement begins, especially of temperature. Derived formations include aleph-zero, net-zero, non-zero, sub-zero, and zero-day.

## Topics
- Numbers & Quantity

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