z

• zthe 26th letter of the Roman alphabet
• z-axisthe third axis in a 3-dimensional coordinate system
• zaAn old solfeggio name for B flat; the seventh harmonic, as heard in the or æolian string; -- so called by Tartini. It was long considered a false, but is the true note of the chord of the flat seventh. H. W. Poole.
• Zaara Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
• zabaglionelight foamy custard-like dessert served hot or chilled
• zabaismSee Sabianism.
• zabianSee Sabian.
• zabismSee Sabianism.
• Zabrzean industrial city in southern Poland
• zaccoSee Zocco.
• Zachariasan Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zechariah which are concerned mainly with the renewal of Israel after the Babylonian Captivity
• Zachary Taylor12th President of the United States; died in office (1784-1850)
• zachunAn oil pressed by the Arabs from the fruit of a small thorny tree (Balanites Ægyptiaca), and sold to piligrims for a healing ointment. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).
• zaertheSame as Zärthe. A European bream (Abramis vimba). [Written also zaerthe.]
• zafferA pigment obtained, usually by roasting cobalt glance with sand or quartz, as a dark earthy powder. It consists of crude cobalt oxide, or of an impure cobalt arseniate. It is used in porcelain painting, and in enameling pottery, to produce a blue color, and is often confounded with smalt, from which, however, it is distinct, as it contains no potash. The name is often loosely applied to mixtures of zaffer proper with silica, or oxides of iron, manganese, etc. [Written also zaffre, and formerly zaffree, zaffar, zaffir.]
• zaftig(of a female body) healthily plump and vigorous
• zagan angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions
• Zaglossusa genus of Tachyglossidae
• Zagrebthe capital of Croatia
• Zahariasoutstanding United States athlete (1914-1956)
• zaimA Turkish chief who supports a mounted militia bearing the same name. Smart.
• zaimetA district from which a Zaim draws his revenue. Smart.
• zainA horse of a dark color, neither gray nor white, and having no spots. Smart.
• zairea republic in central Africa; achieved independence from Belgium in 1960
• Zaire Rivera major African river (one of the world's longest); flows through Congo into the South Atlantic
• Zaireanof or relating to or characteristic of Zaire or its people
• Zaireseof or relating to or characteristic of Zaire or its people
• Zairese monetary unitmonetary unit in Zaire
• zakatthe fourth pillar of Islam is almsgiving as an act of worship
• zalambdodontOf or pertaining to a tribe (Zalambdodonta) of Insectivora in which the molar teeth have but one V-shaped ridge. One of the Zalambdodonta. The tenrec, solenodon, and golden moles are examples.
• zalcitabinean antiviral drug used to combat HIV infection
• Zalophussea lions
• Zalophus californianusoften trained as a show animal
• Zalophus californicusoften trained as a show animal
• Zalophus lobatusa variety of sea lion found in Australia
• Zamathe battle in 202 BC in which Scipio decisively defeated Hannibal at the end of the second Punic War
• zamanlarge ornamental tropical American tree with bipinnate leaves and globose clusters of flowers with crimson stamens and seed pods that are eaten by cattle
• zamanglarge ornamental tropical American tree with bipinnate leaves and globose clusters of flowers with crimson stamens and seed pods that are eaten by cattle
• Zambezian African river; flows into the Indian Ocean
• Zambezi Riveran African river; flows into the Indian Ocean
• Zambiaa republic in central Africa; formerly controlled by Great Britain and called Northern Rhodesia until it gained independence within the commonwealth in 1964
• Zambianof or relating to or characteristic of Zambia or its people
• Zambian kwachathe basic unit of money in Zambia
• Zambian monetary unitmonetary unit in Zambia
• zamboThe child of a mulatto and a negro; also, the child of an Indian and a negro; colloquially or humorously, a negro; a sambo.
• Zambonithe trademark for a machine that smooths the ice in an ice-skating rink
• zamiaany of various cycads of the genus Zamia; among the smallest and most verdant cycads
• zamia familya family of cycads often included in the family Cycadaceae: zamias
• Zamia pumilasmall tough woody zamia of Florida and West Indies and Cuba; roots and half-buried stems yield an arrowroot
• Zamiaceaea family of cycads often included in the family Cycadaceae: zamias
• zamindarA 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. [Written also zemindar.] [India]
• zamindariThe jurisdiction of a zamindar; the land possessed by a zamindar. [Written also zemindary, zemindari.]
• zamindaryThe jurisdiction of a zamindar; the land possessed by a zamindar. [Written also zemindary, zemindari.]
• zamiteA fossil cycad of the genus Zamia.
• zamouseA 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.
• zampognaA sort of bagpipe formerly in use among Italian peasants. It is now almost obsolete. [Written also zampugna.]
• zanderA European pike perch (Stizostedion lucioperca) allied to the wall-eye; -- called also sandari, sander, sannat, schill, and zant.
• zandmoleThe sand mole.
• Zane GreyUnited States writer of western adventure novels (1875-1939)
• ZangwillEnglish writer (1864-1926)
• Zannichelliahorned pondweed: completely submerged herbs; in some classifications included in Potamogetonaceae
• Zannichellia palustrisfound in still or slow-moving fresh or brackish water; useful to oxygenate cool water ponds and aquaria
• Zannichelliaceaealternative classification for some genera included in Potamogetonaceae; one species
• Zantaca histamine blocker and antacid (trade name Zantac) used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis and esophageal reflux
• zanteSee Zantewood.
• zante currantA kind of seedless grape or raisin; -- so called from Zante, one of the Ionian Islands.
• Zantedeschiacalla lily
• Zantedeschia aethiopicaSouth African plant widely cultivated for its showy pure white spathe and yellow spadix
• Zantedeschia rehmaniicalla having a rose-colored spathe
• zantewood(a) A yellow dyewood; fustet; -- called also zante, and zante fustic. See Fustet, and the Note under Fustic. (b) Satinwood (Chloroxylon Swietenia).
• Zanthoxylumdeciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs: prickly ash
• Zanthoxylum americanumsmall deciduous aromatic shrub (or tree) having spiny branches and yellowish flowers; eastern North America
• Zanthoxylum clava-herculisdensely spiny ornamental of southeastern United States and West Indies
• Zanthoxylum flavumWest Indian tree with smooth lustrous and slightly oily wood
• Zanthoxylum fraxineumsmall deciduous aromatic shrub (or tree) having spiny branches and yellowish flowers; eastern North America
• zantiotA native or inhabitant of Zante, one of the Ionian Islands.
• ZanuckUnited States filmmaker whose works include the first full-length feature film with sound sequences (1902-1979)
• zanylike a clown
• zanyismState or character of a zany; buffoonery. Coleridge. H. Morley.
• Zanzibaran island in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa; part of the United Republic of Tanzania
• Zanzibar copala hard copal derived from an African tree
• zapa sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact
• zapasSee Army organization, above.
• ZapataMexican revolutionary who led a revolt for agrarian reforms (1879-1919)
• zapateraA cured olive which has spoiled or is on the verge of decomposition; loosely, an olive defective because of bruises, wormholes, or the like.
• zapharaZaffer.
• zaphrentisAn 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.
• Zapodidaejumping mice
• Zapotecof or relating to the language or culture of the Zapotec people
• Zapotecanthe language of the Zapotec
• zapotillaSee Sapodilla.
• zapperan electrical device that can injure or kill by means of electric currents
• zaptiahA Turkish policeman. [Written also zaptieh.]
• Zapustype genus of the Zapodidae
• Zapus hudsoniuswidely distributed in northeastern and central United States and Canada
• Zaragozaan ancient city on the Ebro River in northeastern Spain; formerly the capital of Aragon
• ZarathustraPersian prophet who founded Zoroastrianism (circa 628-551 BC)
• zarathustrianOf or pertaining to Zarathustra, or Zoroaster; Zoroastrian. Tylor.
• zarathustricOf or pertaining to Zarathustra, or Zoroaster; Zoroastrian. Tylor.
• zarathustrismSee Zoroastrianism.
• zaratiteA hydrous carbonate of nickel occurring as an emerald-green incrustation on chromite; -- called also emerald nickel.
• zarebaAn improvised stockade; especially, one made of thorn bushes, etc. [Written also zareeba, and zeriba.] [Egypt] "Ah," he moralizes, "what wonderful instinct on the part of this little creature to surround itself with a zareba like the troops after Osman Digma." R. Jefferies.
• zarfan ornamental metal cup-shaped holder for a hot coffee cup
• Zariaa city in north central Nigeria; agricultural trading center
• zarnichNative sulphide of arsenic, including sandarach, or realgar, and orpiment.
• Zarontinan anticonvulsant drug (trade names Emeside and Zarontin) used to treat petit mal epilepsy
• Zarpanitconsort of Marduk
• Zarqacity in northwestern Jordan
• zartheA European bream (Abramis vimba). [Written also zaerthe.]
• zastrugiGrooves or furrows formed in snow by the action of the wind, and running parallel with the direction of the wind. This formation results from the erosion of transverse waves previously formed.
• zatiA 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.
• zauschneriaA genus of flowering plants. Zauschneria Californica is a suffrutescent perennial, with showy red flowers much resembling those of the garden fuchsia.
• Zauschneria californicashrublet of southwestern United States to Mexico having brilliant scarlet flowers
• zaxA tool for trimming and puncturing roofing states. [Written also sax.]
• zayatA public shed, or portico, for travelers, worshipers, etc. [Burmah]
• zayinthe 7th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
• Zba unit of information equal to 1024 exbibytes or 2^70 bytes
• Zbita unit of information equal to 1000 exabits or 10^21 bits
• ZDVan antiviral drug (trade name Retrovir) used in the treatment of AIDS; adverse side effects include liver damage and suppression of the bone marrow
• zeaA genus of large grasses of which the Indian corn (Zea Mays) is the only species known. Its origin is not yet ascertained. See Maize.
• Zea maystall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
• Zea mays amylaceacorn having kernels almost entirely of soft starch
• Zea mays evertacorn having small ears and kernels that burst when exposed to dry heat
• Zea mays indentatacorn whose kernels contain both hard and soft starch and become indented at maturity
• Zea mays induratacorn having kernels with a hard outer layer enclosing the soft endosperm
• Zea mays rugosaa corn plant developed in order to have young ears that are sweet and suitable for eating
• Zea saccharataa corn plant developed in order to have young ears that are sweet and suitable for eating
• zealprompt willingness
• Zealandthe largest island of Denmark and the site of Copenhagen
• Zealandera native or inhabitant of Zealand
• zealantOne who is zealous; a zealot; an enthusiast. [Obs.] To certain zealants, all speech of pacification is odious. Bacon.
• zealedFull of zeal; characterized by zeal. [Obs.] "Zealed religion." Beau. & Fl.
• zealfulFull of zeal. [R.] Sylvester.
• zeallessWanting zeal. Hammond.
• zealota member of an ancient Jewish sect in Judea in the first century who fought to the death against the Romans and who killed or persecuted Jews who collaborated with the Romans
• zealoticalLike, or suitable to, a zealot; ardently zealous. [R.] Strype.
• zealotismThe character or conduct of a zealot; zealotry.
• zealotistA zealot. [Obs.] Howell.
• zealotryexcessive intolerance of opposing views
• zealousmarked by active interest and enthusiasm
• zealouslyin a zealous manner
• zeaxanthinyellow carotenoid (isomeric with lutein and occurs widely with it) that is the main pigment in yellow Indian corn
• zebecSee Xebec.
• zebibita unit of information equal to 1024 exbibits or 2^70 bits
• zebibytea unit of information equal to 1024 exbibytes or 2^70 bytes
• zebraany of several fleet black-and-white striped African equines
• zebra crossingstreet crossing where pedestrians have right of way; often marked in some way (especially with diagonal stripes)
• zebra finchsmall Australian weaverbird with markings like a zebra's
• zebra musselinch long mollusk imported accidentally from Europe; clogs utility inlet pipes and feeds on edible freshwater mussels
• zebra orchidorchid with reddish linear leaves and panicle of purple-marked pale-yellow flowers with deep red or purple lip; southwestern Australia
• zebra-tailed lizardswift lizard with long black-banded tail and long legs; of deserts of United States and Mexico
• zebrawoodany of various trees or shrubs having mottled or striped wood
• zebrawood familymostly tropical climbing shrubs or small trees; closely related to Leguminosae
• zebrawood treeany of various trees or shrubs having mottled or striped wood
• zebrinePertaining to, or resembling, the zebra.
• zebrinnyA cross between a male horse and a female zebra.
• zebrulaA cross between a male zebra and a female horse.
• zebruleA cross between a male zebra and a female horse.
• zebudomesticated ox having a humped back and long horns and a large dewlap; used chiefly as a draft animal in India and east Asia
• zebubA large noxious fly of Abyssinia, which like the tsetse fly, is destructive to cattle.
• Zechariahan Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zechariah which are concerned mainly with the renewal of Israel after the Babylonian Captivity
• zechinSee Sequin.
• zechsteinThe upper division of the Permian (Dyas) of Europe. The prevailing rock is a magnesian limestone.
• zedthe 26th letter of the Roman alphabet
• zedoaryA medicinal substance obtained in the East Indian, having a fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste. It is used in medicine as a stimulant. Note: It is the rhizome of different species of Curcuma, esp. C. zedoaria, and comes in short, firm pieces, externally of a wrinkled gray, ash-colored appearance, but within of a brownish red color. There are two kinds, round zedoary, and long zedoary.
• zeethe 26th letter of the Roman alphabet
• zeekoeA hippopotamus.
• ZeemanDutch physicist honored for his research on the influence of magnetism on radiation which showed that light is radiated by the motion of charged particles in an atom (1865-1943)
• zeeman effectThe widening and duplication, triplication, etc., of spectral lines when the radiations emanate in a strong magnetic field, first observed in 1896 by P. Zeeman, a Dutch physicist, and regarded as an important confirmation of the electromagnetic theory of light.
• zehnerAn Austrian silver coin equal to ten kreutzers, or about five cents.
• Zeidaea family of fish in the order Zeomorphi
• zeinA nitrogenous substance of the nature of gluten, obtained from the seeds of Indian corn (Zea) as a soft, yellowish, amorphous substance. [Formerly written zeine.]
• zeitgeistThe spirit of the age; the taste, outlook, and spirit characteristic of a period.
• Zellig HarrisUnited States linguist (born in Ukraine) who developed mathematical linguistics and interpreted speech and writing in a social context (1909-1992)
• Zellig Sabbatai HarrisUnited States linguist (born in Ukraine) who developed mathematical linguistics and interpreted speech and writing in a social context (1909-1992)
• zemindarSame as Zamindar.
• zemindariSame as Zamindary.
• zemindarySame as Zamindary.
• zemniThe 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.
• zemstvoIn Russia, an elective local district and provincial administrative assembly. Originally it was composed of representatives elected by the peasantry, the householders of the towns, and the landed proprietors. In the reign of Alexander III. the power of the noble landowners was increased, the peasants allowed only to elect candidates from whom the governor of the province nominated the deputy, and all acts of the zemstvo subjected to the approval of the governor. Theoretically the zemstvo has large powers relating to taxation, education, public health, etc., but practically these powers are in most cases limited to the adjustment of the state taxation.
• Zenstreet name for lysergic acid diethylamide
• Zen Buddhisma Buddhist doctrine that enlightenment can be attained through direct intuitive insight
• Zen Buddhistan adherent of the doctrines of Zen Buddhism
• Zenaiduramourning doves
• Zenaidura macrourawild dove of the United States having a mournful call
• zenanaThe part of a dwelling appropriated to women. [India]
• zendProperly, the translation and exposition in the Huzvâresh, 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-avestaThe sacred writings of the ancient Persian religion, attributed to Zoroaster, but chiefly of a later date.
• zendikAn atheist or unbeliever; -- name given in the East to those charged with disbelief of any revealed religion, or accused of magical heresies.
• zenickA South African burrowing mammal (Suricata tetradactyla), allied to the civets. It is grayish brown, with yellowish transverse stripes on the back. Called also suricat.
• zenikSee Zenick.
• zeniththe point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
• zenithalrelating to or located at or near the zenith
• Zenoancient Greek philosopher who founded the Stoic school (circa 335-263 BC)
• Zeno of Citiumancient Greek philosopher who founded the Stoic school (circa 335-263 BC)
• Zeno of Eleaancient Greek philosopher who formulated paradoxes that defended the belief that motion and change are illusory (circa 495-430 BC)
• zeoliteany of a family of glassy minerals analogous to feldspar containing hydrated aluminum silicates of calcium or sodium or potassium; formed in cavities in lava flows and in plutonic rocks
• zeoliticOf or pertaining to a zeolite; consisting of, or resembling, a zeolite.
• zeolitiformHaving the form of a zeolite.
• Zeomorphidories