Chapter 1918

&hand; Some of the varieties are used as beasts of burden, and some fore for riding, while others are raised for their milk and flesh. The Brahmin bull, regarded as sacred by the Hindoos, also belongs to this species. The male is called also Indian bull , Indian ox , Madras ox , and sacred bull .

Zebub <Xpage=1678>

Ze"bub (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A large noxious fly of Abyssinia, which like the tsetse fly, is destructive to cattle.

Zechin <Xpage=1678>

Ze"chin (?; 277) , n. See Sequin .

Zechstein <Xpage=1678>

Zech"stein` (?) , n. [Gr., fr. zeche a mine + stein a stone.] (Geol.) The upper division of the Permian (Dyas) of Europe. The prevailing rock is a magnesian limestone.

Zed <Xpage=1678>

Zed (?) , n. [F., probably through It. zeta , fr. L. zeta . See Zeta .] The letter Z ; -- called also zee , and formerly izzard . " Zed , thou unnecessary letter!"

Shak.

Zedoary <Xpage=1678>

Zed"o*a*ry (?) , n. [F. z\'82doaire , LL. zedoaria ; cf. It. zedoaria , zettovario , Pg. zedoaria , Sp. zedoaria , cedoaria ; all fr. Ar. & Per. zedw<?/r .] (Med.) A 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.

&hand; 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.

Zeekoe <Xpage=1678>

Zee"koe (?) , n. [D., sea cow, lake cow.] (Zo\'94l.) A hippopotamus.

Zehner <Xpage=1678>

Zeh"ner (?) , n. [G.] An Austrian silver coin equal to ten kreutzers, or about five cents.

Zein <Xpage=1678>

Ze"in (?) , n. [Cf. F. z\'82\'8bne . See Zea .] (Chem.) A nitrogenous substance of the nature of gluten, obtained from the seeds of Indian corn ( Zea ) as a soft, yellowish, amorphous substance. [Formerly written zeine .]

Zemindar <Xpage=1678>

Zem`in*dar" (?) , n. Same as Zamindar .

Zemindary, Zemindari <Xpage=1678>

Zem"in*da*ry (?) , Zem"in*da*ri (?) , n. Same as Zamindary .

Zemni <Xpage=1678>

Zem"ni (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) 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.

Zenana <Xpage=1678>

Ze*na"na (?) , n. [Hind. zen\'bena , zan\'bena , fr. Per. zan\'bena , fr. zan woman; akin to E. queen .] The part of a dwelling appropriated to women. [India]

Zend <Xpage=1678>

Zend (?) , n. [See Zend-Avesta .] Properly, the translation and exposition in the Huzv&acir;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 <Xpage=1678>

Zend`-A*ves"ta (?) , n. [Properly, the Avesta , or sacred text, and its zend , or interpretation, in a more modern and intelligible language. W. D. Whitney .] The sacred writings of the ancient Persian religion, attributed to Zoroaster, but chiefly of a later date.

Zendik <Xpage=1678>

Zen"dik (?) , n. [Ar. zand\'c6k .] An atheist or unbeliever; -- name given in the East to those charged with disbelief of any revealed religion, or accused of magical heresies.

Zenick <Xpage=1678>

Ze"nick (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) 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 .

Zenik <Xpage=1678>

Ze"nik (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) See Zenick .

Zenith <Xpage=1678>

Ze"nith (?; 277) , n. [OE. senyth , OF. cenith , F. z\'82nith , Sp. zenit , cenit , abbrev. fr. Ar. samt-urras way of the head, vertical place; samt way, path + al the + ras head. Cf. Azimuth .]

1. That point in the visible celestial hemisphere which is vertical to the spectator; the point of the heavens directly overhead; -- opposed to nadir .

From morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, A summer's day; and with the setting sun Dropped from the zenith , like a falling star. Milton.

2. hence, figuratively, the point of culmination; the greatest height; the height of success or prosperity.

I find my zenith doth depend upon A most auspicious star. Shak.

This dead of midnight is the noon of thought, And wisdom mounts her zenith with the stars. Mrs. Barbauld.

It was during those civil troubles . . . this aspiring family reached the zenith . Macaulay.

Zenith distance . (Astron.) See under Distance . -- Zenith sector . (Astron.) See Sector , 3. -- Zenith telescope (Geodesy) , a telescope specially designed for determining the latitude by means of any two stars which pass the meridian about the same time, and at nearly equal distances from the zenith, but on opposite sides of it. It turns both on a vertical and a horizontal axis, is provided with a graduated vertical semicircle, and a level for setting it to a given zenith distance, and with a micrometer for measuring the difference of the zenith distances of the two stars.

Zenithal <Xpage=1678>

Ze"nith*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to the zenith. "The deep zenithal blue."

Tyndall.

Zeolite <Xpage=1678>

Ze"o*lite (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ to boil + -lite : cf. F. z\'82olithe .] (Min.) A term now used to designate any one of a family of minerals, hydrous silicates of alumina, with lime, soda, potash, or rarely baryta. Here are included natrolite, stilbite, analcime, chabazite, thomsonite, heulandite, and others. These species occur of secondary origin in the cavities of amygdaloid, basalt, and lava, also, less frequently, in granite and gneiss. So called because many of these species intumesce before the blowpipe.

Needle zeolite , needlestone; natrolite.

Zeolitic <Xpage=1678>

Ze`o*lit"ic (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a zeolite; consisting of, or resembling, a zeolite.

Zeolitiform <Xpage=1678>

Ze`o*lit"i*form (?) , a. Having the form of a zeolite.

Zephyr <Xpage=1678>

Zeph"yr (?) , n. [L. zephyrus , Gr. <?/, akin to <?/ darkness, the dark side, west: cf. F. z\'82phyr .] The west wind; poetically, any soft, gentle breeze. "Soft the zephyr blows."

Gray.

As gentle As zephyrs blowing below the violet. Shak.

Zephyr cloth , a thin kind of cassimere made in Belgium; also, a waterproof fabric of wool. -- Zephyr shawl , a kind of thin, light, embroidered shawl made of worsted and cotton. -- Zephyr yarn , &or; worsted , a fine, soft kind of yarn or worsted, -- used for knitting and embroidery.

Zephyrus <Xpage=1678>

Zeph"y*rus (?) , n. [L. See Zephyr .] The west wind, or zephyr; -- usually personified, and made the most mild and gentle of all the sylvan deities.

Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes. Milton.

Zequin <Xpage=1678>

Ze"quin (?) , n. See Sequin .

Zerda <Xpage=1678>

Zer"da (?) , n. [Of African origin.] (Zo\'94l.) The fennec.

Zeriba <Xpage=1678>

Ze*ri"ba (?) , n. (Mil.) Same as Zareba .

Zero <Xpage=1678>

Ze"ro (?) , n ; pl. Zeros (#) or Zeroes . [F. z\'82ro , from Ar. &cced;afrun , &cced;ifrun , empty, a cipher. Cf. Cipher .]

1. (Arith.) A cipher; nothing; naught.

2. The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences.

&hand; Zero in the Centigrade, or Celsius thermometer, and in the R\'82aumur thermometer, is at the point at which water congeals. The zero of the Fahrenheit thermometer is fixed at the point at which the mercury stands when immersed in a mixture of snow and common salt. In Wedgwood's pyrometer, the zero corresponds with 1077\'f8 on the Fahrenheit scale. See Illust . of Thermometer .

3. Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero .

Absolute zero . See under Absolute . -- Zero method (Physics) , a method of comparing, or measuring, forces, electric currents, etc., by so opposing them that the pointer of an indicating apparatus, or the needle of a galvanometer, remains at, or is brought to, zero, as contrasted with methods in which the deflection is observed directly; -- called also null method . -- Zero point , the point indicating zero, or the commencement of a scale or reckoning.

<page="1679"> Page 1679

Zest <Xpage=1679>

Zest (?) , n. [F. zeste , probably fr. L. schistos split, cleft, divided, Gr. <?/, from <?/ to split, cleave. Cf. Schism .]

1. 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.

2. Hence, something that gives or enhances a pleasant taste, or the taste itself; an appetizer; also, keen enjoyment; relish; gusto.

Almighty Vanity! to thee they owe Their zest of pleasure, and their balm of woe. Young.

Liberality of disposition and conduct gives the highest zest and relish to social intercourse. Gogan.

3. The woody, thick skin inclosing the kernel of a walnut. [Obs.]

Zest <Xpage=1679>

Zest , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Zested ; p. pr. & vb. n. Zesting .]

1. To cut into thin slips, as the peel of an orange, lemon, etc.; to squeeze, as peel, over the surface of anything.

2. To give a relish or flavor to; to heighten the taste or relish of; as, to zest wine .

Gibber.

Zeta <Xpage=1679>

Ze"ta (?) , n. [L., from Gr. <?/. Cf. Zed .] A Greek letter [&zeta;] corresponding to our z.

Zetetic <Xpage=1679>

Ze*tet"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to seek: cf. F. z\'82t\'82tique .] Seeking; proceeding by inquiry.

Zetetic method (Math.) , the method used for finding the value of unknown quantities by direct search, in investigation, or in the solution of problems. [R.]

Hutton.

Zetetic <Xpage=1679>

Ze*tet"ic , n. A seeker; -- a name adopted by some of the Pyrrhonists.

Zetetics <Xpage=1679>

Ze*tet"ics (?) , n. [See Zetetic , a. ] (Math.) A branch of algebra which relates to the direct search for unknown quantities. [R.]

Zeuglodon <Xpage=1679>

Zeu"glo*don (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ the strap or loop of a yoke + <?/, <?/, tooth.] (Paleon.) 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 .

Zeuglodont <Xpage=1679>

Zeu"glo*dont (?) , (Zo\'94l.) Any species of Zeuglodonta.

Zeuglodonta <Xpage=1679>

Zeu`glo*don"ta (?) , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) Same as Phocodontia .

Zeugma <Xpage=1679>

Zeug"ma (?) , n. [L., from Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to yoke, join. See Yoke .] (Gram.) A figure by which an adjective or verb, which agrees with a nearer word, is, by way of supplement, referred also to another more remote; as, "hic illius arma , hic currus fuit ;" where fuit , which agrees directly with currus , is referred also to arma .

Zeugmatic <Xpage=1679>

Zeug*mat"ic (?) , a. Of or pertaining to zeugma; characterized by zeugma.

Zeugobranchiata <Xpage=1679>

Zeu`go*bran`chi*a"ta (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ to yoke + <?/ a gill.] (Zo\'94l.) Same as Zygobranchia .

Zeus <Xpage=1679>

Zeus (?) , n. (Gr. Myth.) The chief deity of the Greeks, and ruler of the upper world (cf. Hades ). He was identified with Jupiter .

Zeuzerian <Xpage=1679>

Zeu*ze"ri*an (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) 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.

Zeylanite <Xpage=1679>

Zey"lan*ite (?) , n. (Min.) See Ceylanite .

Zibet, Zibeth <Xpage=1679>

Zib"et , Zib"eth (?) , n. [Cf. It. zibetto . See Civet .] (Zo\'94l.) 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.

&hand; It inhabits India, Southern China, and the East Indies. It yields a perfume similar to that of the civet. It is often domesticated by the natives, and then serves the same purposes as the domestic cat. Called also Asiatic, &or; Indian, civet .

Ziega <Xpage=1679>

Zie"ga (?) , n. Curd produced from milk by adding acetic acid, after rennet has ceased to cause coagulation.

Brande & C.

Zietrisikite <Xpage=1679>

Zie`tri*si"kite (?) , n. (Min.) A mineral wax, vert similar to ozocerite. It is found at Zietrisika , Moldavia, whence its name.

Zif <Xpage=1679>

Zif (?) , n. [Heb. ziv .] The second month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding to our May.

Zigger, Zighyr <Xpage=1679>

Zig"ger , Zig"hyr (?) , v. i. (Mining) Same as Sicker . [Prov. Eng.]

Raymond.

Zigzag <Xpage=1679>

Zig"zag` (?) , n. [F. zigzag , G. zickzack , from zacke , zacken , a dentil, tooth. Cf. Tack a small nail.]

1. Something that has short turns or angles.

The fanatics going straight forward and openly, the politicians by the surer mode of zigzag . Burke.

2. (Arch.) A molding running in a zigzag line; a chevron, or series of chevrons. See Illust . of Chevron , 3.

3. (Fort.) See Boyau .

Zigzag <Xpage=1679>

Zig"zag` (?) , a. Having short, sharp turns; running this way and that in an onward course.

Zigzag <Xpage=1679>

Zig"zag` , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Zigzagged (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Zigzagging .] To form with short turns.

Zigzag <Xpage=1679>

Zig"zag` , v. i. To move in a zigzag manner; also, to have a zigzag shape.

R. Browning.

Zigzaggery <Xpage=1679>

Zig"zag`ger*y (?) , n. The quality or state of being zigzag; crookedness. [R.]

The . . . zigzaggery of my father's approaches. Sterne.

Zigzaggy <Xpage=1679>

Zig"zag`gy , a. Having sharp turns.

Barham.

Zilla <Xpage=1679>

Zil"la (?) , n. (Bot.) 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.

Zillah <Xpage=1679>

Zil"lah (?) , n. [Ar. zila .] A district or local division, as of a province. [India]

Zimb <Xpage=1679>

Zimb (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A large, venomous, two-winged fly, native of Abyssinia. It is allied to the tsetse fly, and, like the latter, is destructive to cattle.

Ziment-water <Xpage=1679>

Zim"ent-wa`ter (?) , n. [G. cement-wasser . See Cement .] A kind of water found in copper mines; water impregnated with copper.

Zinc <Xpage=1679>

Zinc (?) , n. [G. zinc , probably akin to zinn tin: cf. F. zinc , from the German. Cf. Tin .] (Chem.) An abundant element of the magnesium-cadmium group, extracted principally from the minerals zinc blende, smithsonite, calamine, and franklinite, as an easily fusible bluish white metal, which is malleable, especially when heated. It is not easily oxidized in moist air, and hence is used for sheeting, coating galvanized iron, etc. It is used in making brass, britannia, and other alloys, and is also largely consumed in electric batteries. Symbol Zn. Atomic weight 64.9 [Formerly written also zink .]

Butter of zinc (Old Chem.) , zinc chloride, ZnCl2 , a deliquescent white waxy or oily substance. -- Oxide of zinc . (Chem.) See Zinc oxide , below. -- Zinc amine (Chem.) , a white amorphous substance, Zn(NH2)2 , obtained by the action of ammonia on zinc ethyl; -- called also zinc amide . -- Zinc amyle (Chem.) , a colorless, transparent liquid, composed of zinc and amyle, which, when exposed to the atmosphere, emits fumes, and absorbs oxygen with rapidity. -- Zinc blende [cf. G. zinkblende ] (Min.) , a native zinc sulphide. See Blende , n. (a) -- Zinc bloom [cf. G. zinkblumen flowers of zinc, oxide of zinc] (Min.) , hydrous carbonate of zinc, usually occurring in white earthy incrustations; -- called also hydrozincite . -- Zinc ethyl (Chem.) , a colorless, transparent, poisonous liquid, composed of zinc and ethyl, which takes fire spontaneously on exposure to the atmosphere. -- Zinc green , a green pigment consisting of zinc and cobalt oxides; -- called also Rinmann's green . -- Zinc methyl (Chem.) , a colorless mobile liquid Zn(CH3)2 , produced by the action of methyl iodide on a zinc sodium alloy. It has a disagreeable odor, and is spontaneously inflammable in the air. It has been of great importance in the synthesis of organic compounds, and is the type of a large series of similar compounds, as zinc ethyl , zinc amyle , etc. -- Zinc oxide (Chem.) , the oxide of zinc, ZnO , forming a light fluffy sublimate when zinc is burned; -- called also flowers of zinc , philosopher's wool , nihil album , etc. The impure oxide produced by burning the metal, roasting its ores, or in melting brass, is called also pompholyx , and tutty . -- Zinc spinel (Min.) , a mineral, related to spinel, consisting essentially of the oxides of zinc and aluminium; gahnite. -- Zinc vitriol (Chem.) , zinc sulphate. See White vitriol , under Vitriol . -- Zinc white , a white powder consisting of zinc oxide, used as a pigment.

Zinc <Xpage=1679>

Zinc , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Zincked &or; Zinced (<?/) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Zincking &or; Zincing (<?/) .] To coat with zinc; to galvanize.

Zincane <Xpage=1679>

Zinc"ane (?) , n. (Chem.) Zinc chloride. [Obs.]

Zincic <Xpage=1679>

Zinc"ic (?) , a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, containing, or resembling, zinc; zincous.

Zincide <Xpage=1679>

Zinc"ide (?) , n. A binary compound of zinc. [R.]

Zinciferous <Xpage=1679>