zero-creephttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zero-creep_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezero creep, n.
Revised 2018

zero creepnoun

Now rare.
  1. 1904–
    (On the graduated scale of an instrument or device) spontaneous slow displacement of the true zero reading.
    1. 1904
      The addition of a temperature-compensation device to minimize the zero-creep when the temperature of the whole instrument changes.
      London, Edinburgh, & Dublin Philosophical Magazine 6th Series vol. 8 95
    2. 1970
      The zero creep of the gravimeters, produced by their transportation and adjustment, decreased.
      Soviet Antarctic Exped. Information Bulletin vol. 8 No. 2. 94

Originally published as part of the entry for zero, n. & adj.

zero, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.