zero chill

English

Noun

zero chill (countable and uncountable, plural zero chills)

1. Cold temperatures of approximately zero degrees.
   • 1909, Canadian Engineer - Volume 17, page 63:

     These nitrifying homes will act in any climate, provided they are guarded from zero chills.

   • 1991, Geraldine Farrar, Aida Craig Truxall, All Good Greetings: Letters of Geraldine Farrar to Ilke Marie, page 54:

     The dull grey skies hint at more snow, and the zero chill approaches.

   • 2014, Catherine Owen, Designated Mourner, →ISBN, page 20:

     Abstract as the sun's insistent care, warmth's illusion burning memory's glass until you step outside into the zero chill — feel this bond become as frail as winter's grass.

   • 2017, Tad Williams, Mountain of Black Glass: Otherland Book 3, →ISBN:

     The deep, killing cold eased, although she knew somehow that the zero chill was only held at bay.

2. The property of a casting having no chill (hardened surface).
   • 1960, The Iron Worker - Volumes 24-26, page 95:

     As the carbon equivalent increases, the depth of the chill decreases until the entire sample is gray, showing a zero chill measurement.

   • 1963, Automotive Engineering - Volume 71, page 66:

     It is hoped that future engine designs will incorporate a zero chill feature.

   • 1987, Jay Easwaran, Advanced casting technology:

     Chill depth in the castings poured with inoculant inserts was greatly reduced, and some of them (e.g. castings 35, 38) had the optimum combination of zero chill and low dross.

3. (informal) Inability to be calm or rational.
   • 2007, Jordan Roter, Girl in Development, →ISBN, page 103:

     "Sam, I think we need to discuss your chill factor. Right now you're on like zero chill. It's just not going to do."

   • 2014, Michele Grant, Any Man I Want, →ISBN, page 3:

     As my nephew Chase liked to say of ill-behaved people, “Dude had zero chill.”

4. (informal) Lack of any good qualities.
   • 2015, Genie Davis, Pauline Baird Jones, Open With Care, →ISBN:

     “So dad can't get here?” She added some shrill tones into the rising outrage. “Zero chill.”

See also

• zero-cool