ScienceAugust 15, 2026

zeroth

ZEER-uhth

Definition

Denoting the position of zero in a sequence or series; in this context, it refers to a foundational or baseline level of estimation before more complex variables are considered.

Etymology

The word is a back-formation from the ordinal number 'zero', coined in the 20th century to describe the first step or initial item in a numerical sequence or scientific series.

In the news

The author uses 'zeroth-order estimate' to describe a simplified, foundational calculation of prosperity, serving as a starting point for comparing India's scientific potential to Britain's.

The next frontier for Indian science on the 80th Independence Day | Hindustan Times

Read the full article ↗

Hindustan Times

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