c.1600, from Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic sifr "cipher," translation of Sanskrit sunya-m "empty place, desert, naught" (see cipher (n.)). A brief history of the invention of "zero" can be found here. Meaning "worthless person" is recorded from 1813. Zero tolerance first recorded 1972, originally U.S. political language.
in zero in, 1944, from zero (n.); the image is from instrument adjustments.
zero ze·ro (zēr'ō, zē'rō)
n. pl. ze·ros or ze·roes
The numerical symbol 0, indicating the absence of quantity or mass.
The temperature indicated by the numeral 0 on a thermometer.
A truly insignificant person: That zero will never get her to go to the dance
language
An object oriented extension of Z.
["Object Orientation in Z", S. Stepney et al eds, Springer 1992].
[Jargon File]
(1995-03-30)