Nought

/nɔːt/ noun

Definition

Zero or nothing; the number 0, or something of no value.

Etymology

From Old English 'nāwiht' (no thing), combining 'nā' (no) and 'wiht' (creature or thing). Still common in British English where Americans say 'zero' or 'oh.'

Kelly Says

British people say 'nought' while Americans say 'zero'—both words are ancient (nought from Old English, zero from Arabic through Spanish), showing how different paths to numbers reveal different cultural histories.

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