zeroableadj.
/ˈzɪərəʊəbl/, U.S. /ˈzɪroʊəb(ə)l/, /ˈziroʊəb(ə)l/ 1. Of an instrument or device: capable of being adjusted to give a zero reading, esp. for the purposes of calibration.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [adjective] > attributes of measuring instruments
graduated1806
self-recording1838
recording1857
centre-zero1879
scaled1900
zeroable1956
1956 U.S. Patent 2,762,976 8 To render said device zeroable upon proper adjustment of said tap.
1974 Physics Bull. Aug. 349/1 A zeroable offset counter system is provided which makes it easy for the operator to measure the angular error between the ground reference face and the crystallographic planes.
2003 Daily Republican Reg. (Mt. Carmel, Illinois) 25 Nov. (Advertising Suppl.) f3/1 11-amp router features a precision-machined motor, 8 slotted collets, adjustable motor cam lock and zeroable scale.
2. Linguistics. That may be omitted from a sentence without loss of meaning.Frequently in or with reference to the works of the U.S. linguist Zellig Harris (1909–92).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [adjective] > omitted by ellipsis > able to be
zeroable1965
1965 Z. S. Harris in Language 41 395 Metaphorical and idiomatic objects are not pronounable or zeroable.
1982 Z. Harris in L. J. Cohen et al. Logic, Methodol. & Philos. Sci. VI 632 It is only after the metalinguistic last sentence is added that the second boys is zeroable.
2010 B. Nevin in D. A. Kibbee Chomskyan (R)evolutions i. 146 All anaphoric and epiphoric reference is handled by the same sort of zeroable metalinguistic sameness statement.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1956