Nullity Meaning: Definition and Examples
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nullity
[ˈnʌl.ɪ.ti ]
Definitions
legal term
Nullity refers to a state of being null or invalid, particularly in legal contexts. It is often used to describe a situation where a legal contract, marriage, or act is considered to have never existed or has no legal effect.
Synonyms
invalidity, nonexistence, nullification, voidness.
Examples of usage
- The marriage was declared a nullity due to lack of consent.
- The court found the contract to be a nullity.
- In legal terms, this agreement has become a nullity.
- The nullity of the act led to further legal complications.
mathematics
In mathematics, nullity refers to the dimension of the null space of a linear transformation. It is a measure of the extent to which the transformation fails to be injective.
Synonyms
nothingness, void, zero.
Examples of usage
- The nullity of the matrix determines its rank.
- Calculating the nullity of the operator is essential for understanding its properties.
- In this case, the nullity was found to be two.
- The relationship between rank and nullity is fundamental in linear algebra.
Interesting Facts
Law
- In legal terms, a 'nullity' often refers to a contract or act that is invalid and has no legal power.
- Certain marriages can be declared a nullity, meaning they were never legally valid from the start.
- Legal nullity ensures that parties are treated as if the invalid act never happened.
Philosophy
- Philosophically, 'nullity' can refer to the concept of non-existence and explores themes of reality versus illusion.
- It's often discussed in metaphysics, where some philosophers examine the implications of nothingness.
- Existential thinkers often grapple with the idea of 'nullity' as they ponder the meaning of existence.
Mathematics
- 'Nullity' can describe the dimension of the kernel of a linear transformation in algebra.
- In statistics, a 'null hypothesis' is an assumption of no effect or no difference, relating to the notion of nullity.
- A matrix can have a 'nullity' that indicates how many vectors map to the zero vector when multiplied.
Cultural References
- Some works of literature touch on themes of nullity, exploring characters who feel lost or question their existence.
- Artists in the modern era have used the concept of nothingness to challenge traditional forms and practices.
- In pop culture, characters often face scenarios of 'nullity', representing existential crises or feelings of emptiness.
Origin of 'nullity'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'nullitas', meaning 'nothingness' or 'void'.
- It is related to the Latin root 'nullus', which translates to 'none' or 'not any'.
- The term has been used in English since the late 15th century, originally in legal contexts.
The term 'nullity' originates from the Latin word 'nullitas', which means 'nothingness' or 'invalidity'. The roots can be traced back to 'nullus', meaning 'none' or 'not any'. The concept emerged in various domains, including law and mathematics, where it signifies the absence of validity or effect. In legal contexts, the use of 'nullity' can be traced back to ancient Roman law, which laid the groundwork for modern legal systems. In mathematics, it became relevant during the development of linear algebra in the 19th century, highlighting the need to measure dimensions related to linear transformations. Over time, 'nullity' has come to symbolize the significance of validity, existence, and identity across different fields.