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Just as the word empty is saying that something is of volume zero I wonder if there is a word that says that something is of length zero or has a duration of zero.

Sample Sentence:

The program should terminate if the calculated period is _______.

Barry Smith
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schrobe
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  • I'd use "instantaneous", for zero duration. – Hot Licks Feb 06 '17 at 12:22
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    You could re-work your sentence to read: "The program should terminate if the calculated period evaluates to zero.", replacing is with evaluates to. – bvpx Feb 06 '17 at 22:45
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    What's wrong with saying that the period is zero if that's what the calculation yielded? – Lawrence Feb 07 '17 at 08:33
  • I am not sure that the recent edit has really improved the question. The reference to playback implies that what is sought is a technical term that is to be used in some highly specific context; the original version of the question was much more general. The question should be reopened anyway. – jsw29 Feb 26 '23 at 16:13
  • "Empty" doesn't mean "volume zero." – alphabet Feb 26 '23 at 20:42

4 Answers4

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Well, you can just use zero in this particular case. The beauty of zero is that units don't matter; zero seconds is the same as zero years.

A related word is instantaneous:

done, occurring, or acting without any perceptible duration of time

(source: Merriam-Webster)

but you wouldn't use it in this sample sentence.

Glorfindel
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"O-length" and "zero-length" are profusely used in mathematics and physics textbooks, which would suggest that a better word is still to be found. Sorry.

P.S.: The term "null" is quite popular but I'm not sure that it has a legitimate place in non-tech literature.

  • See this question regarding whether zero and null perfect synonyms: http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/3161/is-there-a-real-difference-between-null-and-zero – k1eran Feb 06 '17 at 09:57
  • Personally I don't think they are but a thorough discussion would bring us deep into mathematical philosophy. The doubt is rather whether "null" (in English) is an accepted word in non-geek talk. –  Feb 06 '17 at 10:31
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Zero works as already pointed out. If you want to avoid it for some reason, you can use nil. A lesser used synonym is zilch.

The program should terminate if the calculated period is nil.

M-W:

nil noun

: nothing, zero

They took a 2 to nil lead in the second half of the game.

zilch adjective or noun

: zero, nothing

Community
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alwayslearning
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  • The OP’s sample sentence seems to be fairly formal; e.g., it could come from a system specification or requirements document.   The word “nil” strikes me as informal; “zilch” even more so.   P.S. I am American; are these words considered more formal in Br.E? – Scott - Слава Україні Jul 24 '17 at 18:11
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There is word that fits your definition, although it doesn't fit your example sentence.

Infinitesimal

adjective

  1. indefinitely or exceedingly small; minute: infinitesimal vessels in the circulatory system.

  2. immeasurably small; less than an assignable quantity: to an infinitesimal degree.

  3. of, relating to, or involving infinitesimals.

noun

  1. an infinitesimal quantity.

  2. Mathematics. a variable having zero as a limit.

aparente001
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