year zero
The term "year zero" signifies the start of a new era, often marked by radical change or reset, with notable historical and symbolic uses.
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Definition
C1History
(political)The year 1975 when the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia attempted to reset society by erasing existing culture and history.
Example
- Under the Khmer Rouge, 1975 was declared as Year Zero, marking a drastic shift in Cambodian society.
B2Calendar
(technical)A non-existent year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars, situated between 1 BCE and 1 CE.
Example
- In the Gregorian calendar, there is no year zero; 1 BCE is directly followed by 1 CE.
B2Cultural
(symbolic)A metaphorical point of reset, often representing the start of a new era or the destruction of old systems.
Example
- The song uses the concept of Year Zero to symbolize a complete societal upheaval.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "year zero":
zero inelement zerozeroth gradesize zeroground zerozero prefix