Crossword Genius

Exceptionally cold and definitively negative (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

subzero

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'negative' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'exceptionally cold and definitively' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'cold' could be 'zero' (I've seen this before) and 'zero' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sub' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for subzero that I've seen before include "very cold" , "Colder than freezing" , "Negative" , "perishing" , "Extremely nippy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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