English Dictionary
There are currently 400 EnglishDictionary in this directory beginning with the letter Z.
Z
Za (n.) An old solfeggio name for B flat; the seventh harmonic, as heard in the or aeolian string; -- so called by Tartini. It was long considered a false, but is the true note of the chord of the flat seventh.
Zachun (n.) An oil pressed by the Arabs from the fruit of a small thorny tree (Balanites Aegyptiaca), and sold to piligrims for a healing ointment.
Zalambdodont (a.) Of or pertaining to a tribe (Zalambdodonta) of Insectivora in which the molar teeth have but one V-shaped ridge.
Zamang (n.) An immense leguminous tree (Pithecolobium Saman) of Venezuela. Its branches form a hemispherical mass, often one hundred and eighty feet across. The sweet pulpy pods are used commonly for feeding cattle. Also called rain tree.
Zambo (n.) The child of a mulatto and a negro; also, the child of an Indian and a negro; colloquially or humorously, a negro; a sambo.
Zamia (n.) A genus of cycadaceous plants, having the appearance of low palms, but with exogenous wood. See Coontie, and Illust. of Strobile.
Zamindar (n.) A landowner; also, a collector of land revenue; now, usually, a kind of feudatory recognized as an actual proprietor so long as he pays to the government a certain fixed revenue.
Zamouse (n.) A West African buffalo (Bubalus brachyceros) having short horns depressed at the base, and large ears fringed internally with three rows of long hairs. It is destitute of a dewlap. Called also short-horned buffalo, and bush cow.
Zander (n.) A European pike perch (Stizostedion lucioperca) allied to the wall-eye; -- called also sandari, sander, sannat, schill, and zant.
Zante currant () A kind of seedless grape or raisin; -- so called from Zante, one of the Ionian Islands.
Zantewood (n.) A yellow dyewood; fustet; -- called also zante, and zante fustic. See Fustet, and the Note under Fustic.
Zaphrentis (n.) An extinct genus of cyathophylloid corals common in the Paleozoic formations. It is cup-shaped with numerous septa, and with a deep pit in one side of the cup.
Zaratite (n.) A hydrous carbonate of nickel occurring as an emerald-green incrustation on chromite; -- called also emerald nickel.
Zati (n.) A species of macaque (Macacus pileatus) native of India and Ceylon. It has a crown of long erect hair, and tuft of radiating hairs on the back of the head. Called also capped macaque.
Zauschneria (n.) A genus of flowering plants. Zauschneria Californica is a suffrutescent perennial, with showy red flowers much resembling those of the garden fuchsia.
Zea (n.) A genus of large grasses of which the Indian corn (Zea Mays) is the only species known. Its origin is not yet ascertained. See Maize.
Zeal (n.) Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor.
Zealotry (n.) The character and behavior of a zealot; excess of zeal; fanatical devotion to a cause.
Zealous (a.) Filled with, or characterized by, zeal; warmly engaged, or ardent, in behalf of an object.
Zebra (n.) Either one of two species of South African wild horses remarkable for having the body white or yellowish white, and conspicuously marked with dark brown or brackish bands.
Zebrawood (n.) A kind of cabinet wood having beautiful black, brown, and whitish stripes, the timber of a tropical American tree (Connarus Guianensis).
Zechstein (n.) The upper division of the Permian (Dyas) of Europe. The prevailing rock is a magnesian limestone.
Zedoary (n.) A medicinal substance obtained in the East Indies, having a fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste. It is used in medicine as a stimulant.
Zein (n.) A nitrogenous substance of the nature of gluten, obtained from the seeds of Indian corn (Zea) as a soft, yellowish, amorphous substance.
Zemni (n.) The blind mole rat (Spalax typhlus), native of Eastern Europe and Asia. Its eyes and ears are rudimentary, and its fur is soft and brownish, more or less tinged with gray. It constructs extensive burrows.
Zend (n.) Properly, the translation and exposition in the Huzv/resh, or literary Pehlevi, language, of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian sacred writings; as commonly used, the language (an ancient Persian dialect) in which the Avesta is written.
Zend-Avesta (n.) The sacred writings of the ancient Persian religion, attributed to Zoroaster, but chiefly of a later date.
Zendik (n.) An atheist or unbeliever; -- name given in the East to those charged with disbelief of any revealed religion, or accused of magical heresies.
Zenick (n.) A South African burrowing mammal (Suricata tetradactyla), allied to the civets. It is grayish brown, with yellowish transverse stripes on the back. Called also suricat.
Zenith (n.) hence, figuratively, the point of culmination; the greatest height; the height of success or prosperity.
Zenith (n.) That point in the visible celestial hemisphere which is vertical to the spectator; the point of the heavens directly overhead; -- opposed to nadir.
Zephyrus (n.) The west wind, or zephyr; -- usually personified, and made the most mild and gentle of all the sylvan deities.
Zero (n.) Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero.
Zest (n.) A piece of orange or lemon peel, or the aromatic oil which may be squeezed from such peel, used to give flavor to liquor, etc.
Zest (n.) Hence, something that gives or enhances a pleasant taste, or the taste itself; an appetizer; also, keen enjoyment; relish; gusto.
Zest (v. t.) To cut into thin slips, as the peel of an orange, lemon, etc.; to squeeze, as peel, over the surface of anything.
Zeuglodon (n.) A genus of extinct Eocene whales, remains of which have been found in the Gulf States. The species had very long and slender bodies and broad serrated teeth. See Phocodontia.
Zeus (n.) The chief deity of the Greeks, and ruler of the upper world (cf. Hades). He was identified with Jupiter.
Zeuzerian (n.) Any one of a group of bombycid moths of which the genus Zeuzera is the type. Some of these moths are of large size. The goat moth is an example.
Zibeth (n.) A carnivorous mammal (Viverra zibetha) closely allied to the civet, from which it differs in having the spots on the body less distinct, the throat whiter, and the black rings on the tail more numerous.
Ziega (n.) Curd produced from milk by adding acetic acid, after rennet has ceased to cause coagulation.
Zietrisikite (n.) A mineral wax, vert similar to ozocerite. It is found at Zietrisika, Moldavia, whence its name.
Zigzag (n.) A molding running in a zigzag line; a chevron, or series of chevrons. See Illust. of Chevron, 3.
Zilla (n.) A low, thorny, suffrutescent, crucifeous plant (Zilla myagroides) found in the deserts of Egypt. Its leaves are boiled in water, and eaten, by the Arabs.
Zimb (n.) A large, venomous, two-winged fly, native of Abyssinia. It is allied to the tsetse fly, and, like the latter, is destructive to cattle.
Zincification (n.) The act or process of applying zinc; the condition of being zincified, or covered with zinc; galvanization.
Zincite (n.) Native zinc oxide; a brittle, translucent mineral, of an orange-red color; -- called also red zinc ore, and red oxide of zinc.
Zinco- () A combining form from zinc; in chemistry, designating zinc as an element of certain double compounds. Also used adjectively.
Zinco-polar (a.) Electrically polarized like the surface of the zinc presented to the acid in a battery, which has zincous affinity.
Zincography (n.) The art or process of engraving or etching on zinc, in which the design is left in relief in the style of a wood cut, the rest of the ground being eaten away by acid.
Zincoid (a.) Pertaining to, or resembling, zinc; -- said of the electricity of the zincous plate in connection with a copper plate in a voltaic circle; also, designating the positive pole.
Zingel (n.) A small, edible, freshwater European perch (Aspro zingel), having a round, elongated body and prominent snout.
Zingiberaceous (a.) Of or pertaining to ginger, or to a tribe (Zingibereae) of endogenous plants of the order Scitamineae. See Scitamineous.
Zinnia (n.) Any plant of the composite genus Zinnia, Mexican herbs with opposite leaves and large gay-colored blossoms. Zinnia elegans is the commonest species in cultivation.
Zion (n.) A hill in Jerusalem, which, after the capture of that city by the Israelites, became the royal residence of David and his successors.
Zirco- () A combining form (also used adjectively) designating zirconium as an element of certain double compounds; zircono-; as in zircofluoric acid, sodium zircofluoride.
Zircofluoride (n.) A double fluoride of zirconium and hydrogen, or some other positive element or radical; as, zircofluoride of sodium.
Zircon (n.) A mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals, usually of a brown or gray color. It consists of silica and zirconia. A red variety, used as a gem, is called hyacinth. Colorless, pale-yellow or smoky-brown varieties from Ceylon are called jargon.
Zirconia (n.) The oxide of zirconium, obtained as a white powder, and possessing both acid and basic properties. On account of its infusibility, and brilliant luminosity when incandescent, it is used as an ingredient of sticks for the Drummomd light.
Zirconic (a.) Pertaining to, containing, or resembling, zirconium; as, zirconic oxide; zirconic compounds.
Zirconium (n.) A rare element of the carbon-silicon group, intermediate between the metals and nonmetals, obtained from the mineral zircon as a dark sooty powder, or as a gray metallic crystalline substance. Symbol Zr. Atomic weight, 90.4.
Zirconoid (n.) A double eight-sided pyramid, a form common with tetragonal crystals; -- so called because this form often occurs in crystals of zircon.
Zoanthacea (n. pl.) A suborder of Actinaria, including Zoanthus and allied genera, which are permanently attached by their bases.
Zoanthropy (n.) A kind of monomania in which the patient believes himself transformed into one of the lower animals.
Zobo (n.) A kind of domestic cattle reared in Asia for its flesh and milk. It is supposed to be a hybrid between the zebu and the yak.
Zodiac (n.) An imaginary belt in the heavens, 16? or 18? broad, in the middle of which is the ecliptic, or sun's path. It comprises the twelve constellations, which one constituted, and from which were named, the twelve signs of the zodiac.
Zoea (n.) A peculiar larval stage of certain decapod Crustacea, especially of crabs and certain Anomura.
Zoetrope (n.) An optical toy, in which figures made to revolve on the inside of a cylinder, and viewed through slits in its circumference, appear like a single figure passing through a series of natural motions as if animated or mechanically moved.
Zohar (n.) A Jewish cabalistic book attributed by tradition to Rabbi Simon ben Yochi, who lived about the end of the 1st century, a. d. Modern critics believe it to be a compilation of the 13th century.
Zoilean (a.) Having the characteristic of Zoilus, a bitter, envious, unjust critic, who lived about 270 years before Christ.
Zoisite (n.) A grayish or whitish mineral occurring in orthorhombic, prismatic crystals, also in columnar masses. It is a silicate of alumina and lime, and is allied to epidote.
Zokor (n.) An Asiatic burrowing rodent (Siphneus aspalax) resembling the mole rat. It is native of the Altai Mountains.
Zonar (n.) A belt or girdle which the Christians and Jews of the Levant were obliged to wear to distinguish them from Mohammedans.
Zone (n.) The portion of the surface of a sphere included between two parallel planes; the portion of a surface of revolution included between two planes perpendicular to the axis.
Zonure (n.) Any one of several of South African lizards of the genus Zonura, common in rocky situations.
Zoochemistry (n.) Animal chemistry; particularly, the description of the chemical compounds entering into the composition of the animal body, in distinction from biochemistry.
Zoochlorella (n.) One of the small green granulelike bodies found in the interior of certain stentors, hydras, and other invertebrates.
Zoocyst (n.) A cyst formed by certain Protozoa and unicellular plants which the contents divide into a large number of granules, each of which becomes a germ.
Zooecium (n.) One of the cells or tubes which inclose the feeling zooids of Bryozoa. See Illust. of Sea Moss.
Zoogloea (n.) A colony or mass of bacteria imbedded in a viscous gelatinous substance. The zoogloea is characteristic of a transitory stage through which rapidly multiplying bacteria pass in the course of their evolution. Also used adjectively.
Zooid (n.) An animal in one of its inferior stages of development, as one of the intermediate forms in alternate generation.
Zooid (n.) One of the individual animals in a composite group, as of Anthozoa, Hydroidea, and Bryozoa; -- sometimes restricted to those individuals in which the mouth and digestive organs are not developed.
Zoology (n.) That part of biology which relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct.
Zoomorphism (n.) The representation of God, or of gods, in the form, or with the attributes, of the lower animals.
Zoonomy (n.) The laws of animal life, or the science which treats of the phenomena of animal life, their causes and relations.
Zoophorous (n.) The part between the architrave and cornice; the frieze; -- so called from the figures of animals carved upon it.
Zoophyta (n. pl.) An extensive artificial and heterogeneous group of animals, formerly adopted by many zoologists. It included the c/lenterates, echinoderms, sponges, Bryozoa, Protozoa, etc.
Zoopraxiscope (n.) An instrument similar to, or the same as, the, the phenakistoscope, by means of which pictures projected upon a screen are made to exhibit the natural movements of animals, and the like.
Zorilla (n.) Either one of two species of small African carnivores of the genus Ictonyx allied to the weasels and skunks.
Zostera (n.) A genus of plants of the Naiadaceae, or Pondweed family. Zostera marina is commonly known as sea wrack, and eelgrass.
Zouave (n.) Hence, one of a body of soldiers who adopt the dress and drill of the Zouaves, as was done by a number of volunteer regiments in the army of the United States in the Civil War, 1861-65.
Zouave (n.) One of an active and hardy body of soldiers in the French service, originally Arabs, but now composed of Frenchmen who wear the Arab dress.
Zuchetto (n.) A skullcap covering the tonsure, worn under the berretta. The pope's is white; a cardinal's red; a bishop's purple; a priest's black.
Zulus (n. pl.) The most important tribe belonging to the Kaffir race. They inhabit a region on the southeast coast of Africa, but formerly occupied a much more extensive country. They are noted for their warlike disposition, courage, and military skill.
Zumbooruk (n.) A small cannon supported by a swiveled rest on the back of a camel, whence it is fired, -- used in the East.
Zunyite (n.) A fluosilicate of alumina occurring in tetrahedral crystals at the Zu/i mine in Colorado.
Zygapophysis (n.) One of the articular processes of a vertebra, of which there are usually four, two anterior and two posterior. See under Vertebra.
Zygenid (n.) Any one of numerous species of moths of the family Zygaenidae, most of which are bright colored. The wood nymph and the vine forester are examples. Also used adjectively.
Zygobranchia (n. pl.) A division of marine gastropods in which the gills are developed on both sides of the body and the renal organs are also paired. The abalone (Haliotis) and the keyhole limpet (Fissurella) are examples.
Zygodactylae (n. pl.) The zygodactylous birds. In a restricted sense applied to a division of birds which includes the barbets, toucans, honey guides, and other related birds.
Zygodactylous (a.) Yoke-footed; having the toes disposed in pairs; -- applied to birds which have two toes before and two behind, as the parrot, cuckoo, woodpecker, etc.
Zygomorphous (a.) Symmetrical bilaterally; -- said of organisms, or parts of organisms, capable of division into two symmetrical halves only in a single plane.
Zygosperm (n.) A spore formed by the union of the contents of two similar cells, either of the same or of distinct individual plants. Zygosperms are found in certain orders of algae and fungi.
Zygosphene (n.) A median process on the front part of the neural arch of the vertebrae of most snakes and some lizards, which fits into a fossa, called the zygantrum, on the back part of the arch in front.
Zymic (a.) Pertaining to, or produced by, fermentation; -- formerly, by confusion, used to designate lactic acid.
Zymogen (n.) A mother substance, or antecedent, of an enzyme or chemical ferment; -- applied to such substances as, not being themselves actual ferments, may by internal changes give rise to a ferment.
Zymogene (n.) One of a physiological group of globular bacteria which produces fermentations of diverse nature; -- distinguished from pathogene.
Zymome (n.) A glutinous substance, insoluble in alcohol, resembling legumin; -- now called vegetable fibrin, vegetable albumin, or gluten casein.
Zymosimeter (n.) An instrument for ascertaining the degree of fermentation occasioned by the mixture of different liquids, and the degree of heat which they acquire in fermentation.
Zymosis (n.) A fermentation; hence, an analogous process by which an infectious disease is believed to be developed.
Zymotic (a.) Designating, or pertaining to, a certain class of diseases. See Zymotic disease, below.
Zyophyte (n.) Any plant of a proposed class or grand division (Zygophytes, Zygophyta, or Zygosporeae), in which reproduction consists in the union of two similar cells. Cf. Oophyte.
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