to zero
- verb
- /ˈziːroʊ/
- Specialized
- Before the hunt, I need to zero my rifle to ensure it hits the target accurately.
Examples
-
I went to the range to zero in my old 30-30 for deer season, and there were a lot more people out there zeroing their rifles, and they were pissed.
Blog text (18) -
This dude just zeroed a rifle in combat in a video game.
-
I put a 4 to 20 scope and tried to zero in at 100 yards at 10 power
Blog text (7) -
The presidential attack squadron is zeroing in on the target.
Fiction book (1996) -
Santanico scans the table, zeroing in on our boy Richard.
Fiction book (1996) -
It can zero in on targets within an arc-second, the angle subtended by a dime from a mile away.
Academic text (2004) -
He carefully zeroed the scope on his hunting gun at the recommended distance.
-
To improve accuracy, she zeroed her firearm by adjusting the sights during practice.
Synonyms
To adjust a gun or rifle so it shoots accurately at a set distance
To align a sight with a barrel to make shots accurate
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
To become successful and respected after being unknown or unsuccessful
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
The place in New York City where the World Trade Center was before the 2001 terrorist attacks
- Formal
A policy that makes people follow rules with no exceptions, even for small mistakes
- Formal
A strict rule that gives the same punishment for every bad act with no exceptions
- Specialized
The lowest possible temperature when tiny particles almost stop moving
- Specialized
First known person infected in an outbreak who may spread the disease to others
- Specialized
The size of all whole numbers like 0, 1, 2 and so on, the smallest infinity
- Specialized
A software flaw attackers use before developers know or fix it
- Neologism
A possible global conflict using new kinds of attacks like hacking and harm from climate change
- Specialized
A bond sold at a large discount that pays no regular interest and repays full value at maturity
- Specialized
An investment sold for less than its full value that pays no interest until it ends
- Specialized
A hole in software that attackers use before developers release a fix
- Specialized
A loan you buy for less than its value that pays no interest until it ends
- Specialized
A bond sold for less than its value that pays no interest and gives the full amount when it ends
How Accurate
Surface Forms
Etymology
Zero comes from the Arabic word sifr, meaning 'empty' or 'nothing', and reached English via Italian zero. To zero a sight is to adjust it so there is 'no' difference between aim and hit, so the idea of 'nothing' or 'no error' fits the word's origin.