element zero

English

Alternative forms

• element 0

Etymology

From being a chemical element with zero protons.

Noun

element zero (uncountable)

1. (informal, nuclear physics, science fiction) Synonym of neutronium (“material composed of neutrons”)

   Coordinate terms: neutron, free neutron, tetraneutron, neutron star, neutron star matter, neutron-degenerate matter, neutron matter, neutron degeneracy, n

2. (informal, nuclear chemistry) Synonym of muonium

   Coordinate terms: protium, deuterium, tritium, hydrium, hydrogen-0, hydrogen-1, hydrogen-2, hydrogen-3, hydrogen, muon, anti-muon, muononium, exotic atom, atom, onium, meson

3. (science fiction) A fictional chemical element with element number/atomic number/proton number zero (0), often with unrealistic properties.
4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see element,‎ zero.