Nullity: meaning, definitions and examples
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nullity
[ˈnʌl.ɪ.ti ]
Definitions
Context #1 | Noun
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.
Context #2 | Noun
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
Etymology
- 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.
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.