2. The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a
thermometer, commences.
Note: Zero in the Centigrade, or Celsius thermometer, and in
the R['e]aumur 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[deg] on the Fahrenheit scale. See Illust. of
{Thermometer}.
3. Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his
patience had nearly reached zero.
{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.