Answer: The etymology of the word ‘Zero’ can be traced back to the Arabic word ‘sifr’, meaning ’empty’ or ‘nothing’. It then evolved through various ancient languages such as Sanskrit, Old Persian, and Latin before being adopted into modern English. The meaning of ‘Zero’ has undergone changes throughout its linguistic transformations, but it has always referred to the concept of nothingness or absence.
Origin and Etymology of Zero in Chronological Order
[Arabic (9th century)]
The root of the word ‘Zero’ can be found in the Arabic word ‘sifr’, which means ’empty’ or ‘nothing’. The concept of zero as a numerical digit originated in ancient India, but it was the Arabic mathematicians who introduced it to the Western world. The Arabic numeral system, including zero, was adopted by the Europeans in the 12th century.
[Sanskrit (7th century BC)]
The Sanskrit word ‘shunya’ is another precursor to the concept of zero. It means ’empty’ or ‘void’. The Indian mathematician Brahmagupta introduced the concept of zero as a numerical digit in the 7th century BC. This development revolutionized mathematics and paved the way for complex calculations and algebra.
[Old Persian (6th century BC)]
The Old Persian word ‘zara’ or ‘zaraθuštra’ had a similar meaning to ‘zero’. It referred to the concept of emptiness or nothingness. This word influenced the Arabic word ‘sifr’ and contributed to the evolution of the concept of zero.
[Latin (12th century)]
The Latin word ‘zephirum’ was derived from the Arabic word ‘sifr’. It referred to the numeral zero and was used in medieval Europe. The word ‘zephirum’ eventually evolved into ‘zero’ in the English language.
[English (17th century)]
The word ‘zero’ was adopted into the English language from Latin in the 17th century. It retained its meaning of ‘nothing’ or ’empty’. Since then, ‘zero’ has become an integral part of the English vocabulary, particularly in the context of mathematics and science.
Meaning of Zero
The word ‘Zero’ functions as a noun and a numeral in the English language.
Meaning as a noun:
- Zero refers to the numerical value of nothing or absence.
- Zero can indicate a starting point or origin.
- Zero can represent a complete lack or absence of something.
Example sentences:
- The temperature dropped to zero degrees Celsius.
- Her chances of winning were close to zero.
- The company recorded zero sales for the quarter.
Meaning as a numeral:
- Zero represents the numerical value of ‘0’.
- Zero is used to indicate the absence or lack of quantity.
Example sentences:
- There are zero apples left in the basket.
- The equation can be solved by setting x to zero.
- The population of the extinct species is effectively zero.
Derivatives and Related Words of Zero
- Zeroth
- Zeroize
- Zero-sum
- Zeroth law
Synonym of Zero
- Nil
- None
- Nought
- Naught
- Zilch
- Zip
Antonym of Zero
- One
- Positive
- Non-zero
- Existence
- Some
Understanding Zero in Different Contexts
In mathematics, zero holds a unique significance as it represents the absence of value and serves as a reference point for numerical scales. In science, zero is crucial for measuring temperature, determining energy levels, and representing neutral charges. In finance, zero can denote a balance between gains and losses or indicate a lack of financial activity. Culturally, zero has symbolic connotations, such as the concept of emptiness in Zen Buddhism or the absence of substance in existential philosophy.