zero-pointhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zero-point_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezero point, n.
Revised 2018

zero pointnoun

  1. 1789–
    The lowest point on a scale, order, or ranking; a value from which a positive or negative quantity is reckoned. Also: a point respresented by a 0 on an instrument or device, used as the basis for taking measurements. Cf. zero n. A.4a, zero n. A.4b.
    1. 1789
      It's plan is to begin it's operations upon lives, which in their present state are below the Zero point, in the scale of estimation.
      2nd Rep. Philanthropic Society 15
    2. 1810
      A thermometer, the zero point of which indicates absolute cold.
      T. Thomson, System of Chemistry (ed. 4) vol. I. 565
    3. 1826
      Every star observed in the course of the sweep which can be identified with a star in any catalogue, and whose place is determined with certainty, is taken as a zero point.
      Mem. Astron. Society vol. II. 469
    4. 1895
      The balls were placed horizontally in their neutral position, and the reading of the zero-point of the scale taken.
      Physical Review vol. 2 326
    5. 1920
      To avoid errors in weighing, one must know how to determine the Zero Point of the balance.
      Metal Industry vol. 18 412/2
    6. 1993
      The zero point for measuring celestial longitude is the spring equinox.
      H. Thurston, Early Astronomy i. 32
    7. 2014
      The octane rating was developed..in 1926. The selection of n-heptane as the zero point of the scale was due to its availability in high purity.
      Daily News (Sri Lanka) (Nexis) 8 January

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

zero point, n. was revised in June 2018.

zero point, n. was last modified in December 2024.