yech (yek, yûk: conventionalized pronun.) •interj. a gagging sound made in the throat to express disgust, contempt, etc.: also sp. yecch, yuck, or yuch
Yedo or Yeddo (ye´dou´) old name of TOKYO
yegg (yeg) •n. [Old Slang] a criminal; esp., a safecracker or burglar: also yegg´man (-mэn), pl. -men (-mэn) [< ?]
Yekaterinburg (yi kä´tэ ren burg) city in Russia, in the Ural Mountains: pop. 1,300,000
yeld (yeld) •adj. [Scot.] 1 barren 2 not giving milk [ME < OE gelde, akin to ON geldr: see GELD¹]
yell (yel) •vi. to cry out loudly; shriek; scream •vt. to utter by yelling •n. 1 a loud outcry or shout; shriek; scream Æ 2 a rhythmic cheer given in unison, as by students at a school or college football game yell´er •n. [ME yellen < OE giellan, akin to ON gjalla, OHG gellan < IE base *ghel-, to cry out > Gr chelidōn, a swallow]
Yellow (yel´ou) see HUANG HE yellow (yel´ou) •adj. 1 of the color of gold, butter, or ripe lemons 2 changed to a yellowish color as by age, as old paper 3 having a yellowish pigmentation of the skin Æ 4 [Colloq.] cowardly; craven Æ 5 cheaply sensational: said of certain newspapers [see YELLOW JOURNALISM] •n. 1 a yellow color; color lying between orange and green in the color spectrum 2 a pigment or dye that is yellow or capable of producing yellow 3 the yolk of an egg 4 [pl.] any of several fungous or viral diseases of plants, causing yellowing of the leaves, stunting of growth, etc. 5 [pl.] jaundice, esp. in farm animals •vt., vi. to make or become yellow yel´low·ness •n. [ME yelwe < OE geolu, akin to Ger gelb < IE base *Ghel-, to gleam, yellow, green, blue > Gr cholos, gall, L helvus, tawny] yellow (yel´ou) •adj. 1 of the color of gold, butter, or ripe lemons 2 changed to a yellowish color as by age, as old paper 3 having a yellowish pigmentation of the skin Æ 4 [Colloq.] cowardly; craven Æ 5 cheaply sensational: said of certain newspapers [see YELLOW JOURNALISM] •n. 1 a yellow color; color lying between orange and green in the color spectrum 2 a pigment or dye that is yellow or capable of producing yellow 3 the yolk of an egg 4 [pl.] any of several fungous or viral diseases of plants, causing yellowing of the leaves, stunting of growth, etc. 5 [pl.] jaundice, esp. in farm animals •vt., vi. to make or become yellow yel´low·ness •n. [ME yelwe < OE geolu, akin to Ger gelb < IE base *Ghel-, to gleam, yellow, green, blue > Gr cholos, gall, L helvus, tawny]
yellow daisy Æ BLACK-EYED SUSAN
yellow enzyme any of several yellow respiratory enzymes that are members of the flavoprotein group, found naturally as in yeast
yellow fever an acute, infectious tropical disease caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of a mosquito (Aëdes aegypti) and characterized by fever, jaundice, vomiting, etc.
yellow jack 1 YELLOW FEVER 2 a yellow flag used as a signal of quarantine 3 an edible, gold-and-silver marine jack fish (Caranx bartholomaei) found near Florida and the West Indies
yellow jacket any of several small social wasps or hornets (family Vespidae) having bright-yellow markings
yellow jasmine Æ a slender gelsemium (Gelsemium sempervirens) with funnel-shaped, yellow flowers, native to the SE U.S.: also yellow jessamine
yellow journalism the use of cheaply sensational or unscrupulous methods in newspapers, etc. to attract or influence readers [< the use of yellow ink, to attract readers, in printing the Yellow Kid, a comic strip, in the New York World (1895)]
yellow ocher a paint pigment, a variety of limonite, consisting of iron oxide and clay
Yellow Pages [also y- p-] the section or volume of a telephone directory, usually printed on yellow paper, containing classified listings of subscribers according to business, profession, etc.
yellow peril the threat to Western civilization presented by Asian peoples, esp. those of China or Japan: widely believed in during the late 19th and early 20th cent. in North America, Europe, and Australia [< YELLOW (RACE)]
yellow pine 1 any of several North American pines, as the longleaf pine, having yellowish wood 2 this wood
yellow poplar 1 TULIP TREE 2 TULIPWOOD (sense 1)
yellow race loosely, the Mongoloid group of mankind: usually a term of prejudice: see MONGOLOID [in allusion to the typical skin color, perceived as yellowish]
yellow rain a highly toxic, yellowish, powdery substance found in SE Asia c. 1975-85, alleged by some to be a chemical warfare agent dropped from airplanes and by others to be contaminated bee excrement
Yellow Sea arm of the East China Sea, between China & Korea: c. 400 mi. (644 km) wide
yellow spot MACULA LUTEA
yellow streak a tendency to be cowardly, craven, etc.
yellow warbler a small, bright-yellow North American wood warbler (Dendroica petechia)
yellow-bellied sapsucker (yel´ou bel'i:d) a sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) with a red head and yellowish underparts
yellow-belly (-bel'i:) pl. -lies •n. [Slang] a contemptible coward yel´low-bel'lied (-i:d) •adj.
yellowbird (-børd') •n. any of various birds that are mostly yellow in color, as the yellow warbler or several American goldfinches
yellowcake (-keik') •n. a uranium concentrate, primarily (NH4)2U2O7 or Na2U2O7, obtained by the extraction of uranium from ores: also yellow cake
yellow-dog contract (-dög') an employer-employee contract, now illegal, by which an applicant for a job agrees not to be a labor-union member while employed
yellowfin (tuna) (-fin') a tuna (Thunnus albacares) with yellow fins and a yellow stripe on each side, important as a game and food fish and found worldwide in warm seas
yellow-green algae (-gri:n´) any of a class (Xanthophyceae) of algae that contain a yellowish or brownish pigment that obscures the chlorophyll and whose motile cells have two unequal flagella: the cell walls may contain silica
yellowhammer (-hæm'эr) •n. 1 a small European bunting (Emberiza citrinella) having a yellow head, neck, and breast Æ 2 YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER [altered by folk etym. < earlier yelambre < OE geolu, YELLOW + amore, a kind of bird, akin to OHG amaro, emmer, a kind of finch that fed on emmer]
yellowish (yel´ou ish) •adj. somewhat yellow
Yellowknife (yel´ou naif') town in Fort Smith Region, Canada, on Great Slave Lake: capital of Northwest Territories: pop. 10,000
yellowlegs (yel´ou legz') pl. -legs' •n. Æ either of two large, gray-and-white sandpipers, the greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) or the lesser yellowlegs (T. flavipes), having long, yellow legs, found in North and South America
yellow-shafted flicker (or woodpecker) (yel´ou shæf'tid) a flicker with yellow wing linings found mostly in E North America
Yellowstone (yel´ou stoun') river flowing from NW Wyo. through Mont. into the Missouri River: 671 mi. (1,079 km) [transl. of Fr Roche Jaune, ? transl. of native name]
Yellowstone Falls two waterfalls on the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park: upper falls, 109 ft. (33 m); lower falls (or Grand Falls), 308 ft. (94 m)
Yellowstone Lake lake in Yellowstone National Park, fed by the Yellowstone River: 137 sq. mi. (354 sq. km)
Yellowstone National Park national park mostly in NW Wyo., but including narrow strips of S Mont. & E Ida.: it contains geysers, boiling springs, etc.: 3,458 sq. mi. (8,956 sq. km)
yellowtail (yel´ou teil') pl. -tails' •n.or -tail' Æ 1 any of a genus (Seriola) of large, marine, food and game jack fishes; esp., a species (S. lalandei) of the Pacific Æ 2 any of various other fishes having a yellowish tail, as the yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus), the yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) of the W Atlantic, the yellowtail rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) of the E Pacific, and the SILVER PERCH (sense 1)
yellowthroat (-θrout') •n. Æ any of a genus (Geothlypis) of American wood warblers with a yellow breast and throat
yellow-throated warbler (-θrout´id) a wood warbler (Dendroica dominica) of the SE U.S., with a yellow throat
yellowwood (yel´ou wud') •n. 1 any of several trees yielding yellow wood, esp. Æ a) a white-flowered leguminous tree (Cladrastis lutea) native to the SE U.S. b) SATINWOOD (sense 2b) 2 the wood of any of these
yellowy (yel´ou i:) •adj. somewhat yellow
yelp (yelp) •vi. 1 to utter a short, sharp cry or bark, as a dog 2 to cry out sharply, as in pain •vt. to utter or express by yelping •n. a short, sharp cry or bark yelp´er •n. [ME yelpen, to boast < OE gielpan, to boast noisily, akin to MHG gelfen: for IE base see YELL]
Yeltsin (yelt´sin), Bor·is (bör´is) 1931- ; president of Russia (1990- )
Yemen (yem´эn) country on the S tip of the Arabian Peninsula formed (1990) by the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic, or North Yemen, and a country directly east of it, the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, or South Yemen: 207,000 sq. mi. (536,128 sq. km); pop. 11,000,000; cap. Sana: official name Republic of Yemen See ADEN (the region) Yem´en·ite' (-эn ait') or Yem´e·ni (-э ni:) •adj., n.
yen¹ (yen) pl. yen •n. the basic monetary unit of Japan: see MONEY, table [SinoJpn en, lit., round]
yen² (yen) •n. Æ [Colloq.] a strong longing or desire Æ yenned, yen´ning •vi. [Colloq.] to have a yen (for); long; yearn [prob. < Cantonese yan, smoke (n.), opium]
Yenisei or Yenisey (ye'ni sei´) river in central Siberia, flowing from the Sayan Mountains north into the Kara Sea: c. 2,600 mi. (4,184 km)
yenta or yente (yen´tэ) •n. [Slang] a woman gossip or busybody [< Yente Telebende, name of a comic gossip in writings (1920's & 1930's) of Yidd newspaper humorist B. Kovner (pseud. of Jacob Adler)]
yeoman (you´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 orig., a) an attendant or manservant in a royal or noble household b) an assistant or subordinate, as to a sheriff c) a freeholder of a class below the gentry, who worked his own land 2 [Brit.] a) a person who owns and cultivates a relatively small tract of land b) YEOMAN OF THE (ROYAL) GUARD c) a member of the YEOMANRY (sense 2) 3 U.S. Navy a petty officer assigned to clerical duty •adj. of or characteristic of yeomen: see also YEOMAN SERVICE [ME yeman, prob. contr. < yengman, yung man, lit., young man]
yeoman of the (royal) guard a member of a ceremonial guard for the British royal family, made up traditionally of 100 men
yeoman service exceptionally good, useful, or loyal service or assistance: also yeoman's service
yeomanly (-li:) •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, or befitting a yeoman 2 brave; sturdy •adv. in a yeomanly manner
yeomanry (-ri:) •n. 1 yeomen collectively 2 a British volunteer cavalry force organized in 1761 as a home guard, but since 1907, a part of the Territorial Army
yep (yep) •adv. [Slang] yes: an affirmative reply
-yer (yэr) suffix -IER: usually after w {lawyer}
yerba buena (yer´bэ bwei´nэ, yør´-) a trailing evergreen plant (Satureja douglasii) of the mint family, native to the Pacific coast of North America and formerly used in medicine [Sp, lit., good herb]
Yerevan (yer'э vän´) capital of Armenia, at the foot of Mt. Ararat: pop. 1,133,000
yes (yes) •adv. 1 aye; yea; it is so: the opposite of no, and used to express agreement, consent, affirmation, or confirmation 2 not only that, but more; moreover [ready, yes, eager to help] Yes is sometimes used alone in inquiry to signify What is it?, Do you wish to say (or add) something? or as a polite way of showing interest •n. pl. yes´es 1 the act of saying yes; affirmative reply; agreement 2 an affirmative vote or a person voting this way: usually aye •vt., vi. yessed, yes´sing to say yes (to) [ME < OE gese, yes, prob. < gea, yea + si, be it so, 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of beon, to be: see BE]
yes man [Slang] one who gives undiscriminating approval to every suggestion or opinion offered by a superior
yeshiva (yэ shi:´vэ; Heb ye shi: vä´) pl. -vas or -vot´ (-vout´) •n. 1 a school or college for Talmudic studies; esp., a seminary for the training of Orthodox rabbis 2 a Jewish school combining religious and secular studies [MHeb yeshiva, lit., act of sitting < root jšb, to sit]
yester (yes´tэr) •adv. 1 of yesterday 2 previous to this Usually in combination [yestereve, yesteryear] [< fol.]
yesterday (yes´tэr dei', -di:) •n. 1 the day before today; day just past 2 a recent day or time 3 [usually pl.] time gone by •adv. 1 on or during the day before today 2 recently •adj. of yesterday {yesterday morning} [ME yistredai < OE geostrandæg < geostran, yesterday (akin to Ger gestern < IE *Ghyes > Sans hyáh, L heri, yesterday) + dæg, DAY]
yesterevening (yes'tэr i:v´niŋ) •n., adv. [Archaic] (on) the evening of yesterday: also yes'ter·eve´ or [Scot.] yes·treen (yes tri:n´)
yestermorning (-mör´niŋ) •n., adv. [Archaic] (on) the morning of yesterday: also yes'ter·morn´
yesternight (yes´tэr nait') •n., adv. [Archaic] (on) the night before today; last night
yesteryear (-yir') •n., adv. [Old Poet.] 1 last year 2 (in) past years [used by Dante Gabriel ROSSETTI to transl. Fr antan]
yet (yet) •adv. 1 up to now or the time specified; thus far {he hasn't gone yet} 2 at the present time; now {we can't leave just yet} 3 still; even now; in the time still remaining {there is yet a chance for peace} 4 at some future time; sooner or later {she will thank you yet} 5 now or at a particular time, implying continuance from a preceding time {we could hear him yet} 6 in addition; further; still; even: usually with a comparative {he was yet more kind} 7 as much as; even {he did not come, nor yet write} 8 now, after all the time has elapsed {hasn't he finished yet?} 9 nevertheless {she is comfortable, yet lonely} conj. nevertheless; however {she seems happy, yet she is troubled} as yet up to now have yet to (do something) to have not yet (done something) {we have yet to win} [ME yit < OE giet, gieta, akin to OFris ieta]
yeti (yet´i:, yeit´i:) •n. [often Y-] ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN [Tibet]
Yevtushenko (yev'tu: sheŋ´kou), Yev·ge·ny (Aleksandrovich) (yev gen´i:) 1933- ; Soviet poet
yew (yu:) •n. 1 a) any of a genus (Taxus) of evergreen shrubs and trees of the yew family, having red, cuplike, waxy cones containing a single seed, broad, flattened leaves that are needles, and fine-grained, elastic wood b) the wood, used esp. for making archers' bows 2 [Archaic] an archer's bow of yew •adj. designating a family (Taxaceae) of resinous evergreen conifers with needlelike leaves, including ground hemlock [ME ew < OE iw, eow, akin to Ger eibe (OHG iwa) < IE *(e)iwā- < base *ei-, reddish > L uva, grape: orig. name because of color of the wood]
Yezo (ye´zou) old name of HOKKAIDO
Ygdrasil or Yggdrasill (ig´drэ sil') Norse Myth. the great ash tree whose roots and branches hold together the universe [ON]
YHVH or YHWH Yahweh: see JEHOVAH, TETRAGRAMMATON
yid (yid) •n. JEW: a very offensive term of contempt [< fol.]
Yiddish (yid´ish) •n. a language derived from Middle High German, spoken by East European Jews and their descendants in other countries: it is written in the Hebrew alphabet and contains vocabulary borrowings from Hebrew, Russian, Polish, English, etc.: abbrev. Yid or Yidd •adj. of or in this language [Yidd yidish, for Ger jüdisch-(deutsch), Jewish-(German) < jüdisch, Jewish < Jude, a Jew < L Judaeus: see JEW]
Yiddishism (-iz'эm) •n. a Yiddish word, phrase, or idiom
Yiddishist (-ist) •n. 1 a person devoted to the preservation of Yiddish 2 a specialist in Yiddish linguistics
yield (yi:ld) •vt. 1 to produce; specif., a) to give or furnish as a natural process or as the result of cultivation {an orchard that yielded a good crop} b) to give in return; produce as a result, profit, etc. {an investment that yielded high profits} 2 to give up under pressure; surrender: sometimes used reflexively with up {to yield oneself up to pleasure} 3 to give; concede; grant {to yield the right of way, to yield a point} 4 [Archaic] to pay; recompense •vi. 1 to produce or bear {a mine that has yielded poorly} 2 to give up; surrender; submit 3 to give way to physical force {the gate would not yield to their blows} 4 to give place; lose precedence, leadership, etc.; specif., a) to let another, esp. a motorist, have the right of way b) to give up willingly a right, position, privilege, etc.: often with to •n. 1 the act of yielding, or producing 2 the amount yielded or produced; return on labor, investment, taxes, etc.; product 3 Finance the ratio of the annual cash dividends or of the earnings per share of a stock to the market price 4 Physics, Chem. a) the total products actually obtained from given raw materials, usually expressed as a percentage of the amount theoretically obtainable b) the force in kilotons or megatons of a nuclear or thermonuclear explosion yield´er •n. SYN.—yield implies a giving way under the pressure or compulsion of force, entreaty, persuasion, etc. [to yield to demands]; capitulate implies surrender to a force that one has neither the strength nor will to resist further [to capitulate to the will of the majority]; succumb stresses the weakness of the one who gives way or the power and irresistibility of that which makes one yield [she succumbed to his charms]; relent suggests the yielding or softening of one in a dominant position who has been harsh, stern, or stubborn [he relented at the sight of her grief]; defer implies a yielding to another because of respect for his dignity, authority, knowledge, etc. [to defer to another's judgment] —ANT. resist [ME yelden < OE gieldan, to pay, give, akin to Ger gelten, to be worth < IE base *ghel-tō, (I) give, pay]
yielding (yi:l´diŋ) •adj. 1 producing a good yield; productive 2 bending easily; flexible 3 submissive; obedient
yikes (yaiks) •interj. YIPE
yin¹ (yin) •adj., pron., n. [Scot.] ONE
yin² (yin) •n. in Chinese philosophy, the passive, negative, feminine force or principle in the universe, both contrasted with and complementary to the YANG [Mandarin yin, female, night, lunar]
Yinchuan (yin´chwän´) city in N China: capital of the Ningxia-Hui autonomous region: pop. 84,000
Yingkou (yiŋ´kau´) seaport in Liaoning province, NE China, on an arm of the Bo Hai: pop. 160,000: old sp. Ying´kow´ (-kau´)
yip (yip) •n. [Colloq.] a yelp, or bark •vi. yipped, yip´ping [Colloq.] to yelp, or bark [echoic]
yipe (yaip) •interj. an exclamation of pain, dismay, alarm, etc.: also yipes
yippee (yip´i:) •interj. an exclamation of joy, delight, etc.
yippie (yip´i:) •n. [Slang] any of a group of young people in the U.S. loosely organized in 1968 as radical activists [< Y(outh) I(nternational) P(arty), a supposed, but nonexistent group + (HIP)PIE]
-yl (il; now rarely i:l) Chem. combining form 1 a monovalent hydrocarbon radical {ethyl} 2 a radical containing oxygen {hydroxyl} 3 an organic acid radical {benzoyl} [< Gr hylē, wood, substance]
ylang-ylang (i:´läŋ' i:´läŋ') •n. 1 an East Indian tree (Cananga odorata) of the custard-apple family, with fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers 2 the oil obtained from these flowers, used in perfumes [Tagalog ilang-ilang]
ylem (ai´lэm) •n. in some theories of cosmogony, the primordial material substance from which all the elements are supposed to have been derived [ME < MFr ilem < ? ML hylem, acc. of hyle, matter, orig., wood < Gr hylē]
YMCA Young Men's Christian Association
YMHA Young Men's Hebrew Association
Ymir (i:´mir') Norse Myth. the giant from whose body the gods create the world [ON]
yo (you) •interj. an informal exclamation used to attract attention, greet someone, introduce or emphasize a remark, etc.
yob (yäb) •n. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) Slang] a hoodlum or lout: also yob·bo (yä´bou) [inversion of BOY]
yock (yäk) •n. [Slang] a loud laugh or something evoking loud laughter; yak [var. of YAK²]
yod or yodh (yöd, yud) name of the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet (י) •n. [Heb yōdh, lit., hand]
yodel (youd´ªl) -deled or -delled, -del·ing or -del·ling •vt., vi. to sing with abrupt alternating changes between the normal chest voice and the falsetto •n. 1 the act or sound of yodeling 2 a song or refrain sung in this way to meaningless syllables yo´del·er or yo´del·ler •n. [Ger jodeln]
yoga (you´gэ) •n. 1 a mystic and ascetic Hindu discipline by which one seeks to achieve liberation of the self and union with the supreme spirit or universal soul through intense concentration, deep meditation, and practices involving prescribed postures, controlled breathing, etc. 2 a system of exercising involving the postures, breathing, etc. practiced in this discipline yo´gic (-gik) •adj. [Sans, union, lit., a yoking: for IE base see YOKE]
yogh (youk, youkh) •n. a letter of the Middle English alphabet, 3, representing: a) a voiceless velar fricative similar to Modern German (kh), as in doch: in Modern English orthography it has been replaced by gh, which either is silent, as in though, or represents the sound (f), as in cough b) a voiced palatal fricative: in Modern English orthography, y, representing (y) as in yes [ME]
yogi (you´gi:) pl. -gis a person who practices yoga: also yo´gin (-gin) •n. [Hindi yogī < Sans yogin]
yogurt (you´gэrt) •n. a thick, semisolid food made from milk fermented by a bacterium (Lactobacillus bulgaricus): it is now often prepared with various flavors: also sp. yo´ghurt or yo´ghourt [Turk yogurt]
Yogyakarta (youg'yä kärt´э) city in central Java, Indonesia: pop. 399,000
yo-heave-ho (you´hi:v´hou´) •interj. a chant formerly used by sailors while pulling or lifting together in rhythm
yohimbine (you him´bi:n) •n. a poisonous alkaloid, C21H26N2O3, obtained from quebracho bark and the bark of a West African tree (Corynanthe yohimbé) of the madder family: formerly used as an aphrodisiac [< yohimbé, a tropical Afr tree (of Bantu orig.) + -INE³]
yoicks (yoiks) •interj. [Brit.] a cry used for urging on the hounds in fox hunting [earlier hoik, hike, also yoaks]
yok (yäk) •n. [Slang] var. of YAK² (sense 2)
yoke (youk) pl. yokes or yoke •n. 1 a wooden frame or bar with loops or bows at either end, fitted around the necks of a pair of oxen, etc. for harnessing them together 2 a pair of animals harnessed together {a yoke of oxen} 3 a) a device symbolizing a yoke, as an arch of spears, under which the conquered were forced to pass in ancient times b) any mark or symbol of bondage or servitude c) subjection; bondage; servitude 4 something that binds, unites, or connects {the yoke of matrimony} 5 something like a yoke in shape or function; specif., a) a frame fitting over the shoulders for carrying pails, etc., one on either end b) a clamp, coupling, slotted piece, etc. used to hold two parts together c) the crosspiece to which the steering cables are attached on a ship's rudder d) the bar used in double harnessing to connect the horse's collar to the tongue of the wagon or carriage 6 a part of a garment fitted closely to the shoulders, as of a dress, or to the hips, as of a skirt, as a support for gathered parts 7 Elec. a piece of magnetic material, without windings, that permanently connects two or more magnet cores 8 Electronics an assembly of coils and magnetic material placed about the neck of a cathode-ray tube to provide electromagnetic deflection fields for the electron beam •vt. yoked, yok´ing 1 to put a yoke on 2 to harness (an animal) to (a plow, etc.) 3 a) to join together; link b) to join in marriage 4 [Rare] to enslave •vi. to be joined together or closely united SYN. PAIR [ME yok < OE geoc, akin to Ger joch < IE *yugo- (> Sans yuga, L jungere, jugum, Gr zeugma, Welsh iau, OSlav igo) < base *yeu-, to join]
yokefellow (-fel'lou) •n. 1 a companion, partner, or associate 2 a husband or wife; mate
yokel (you´kэl) •n. a person living in a rural area; rustic; country bumpkin: a contemptuous term [prob. < dial., green woodpecker]
Yokohama (you'kэ hä´mэ) seaport on Tokyo Bay, Japan, south of Tokyo: pop. 2,915,000
Yokosuka (you'kэ su:´kэ) seaport in Honshu, at the entrance to Tokyo Bay, Japan: pop. 428,000
Yolanda (you læn´dэ, -län´-) a feminine name
yolk (youk) •n. 1 the yellow, principal substance of an egg, as distinguished from the albumen, or white: see EGG¹, illus. 2 Biol. the protein and fat stored in the ovum, serving as nourishment for the growing embryo 3 SUINT yolked •adj. yolk´y •adj. [ME yolke < OE geolca, yolk, lit., yellow part, akin to geolu, YELLOW]
yolk sac Zool. 1 a saclike vascular membrane containing yolk, an outgrowth from the ventral surface of very yolky vertebrate embryos, as those of fishes, birds, or reptiles, that supplies nourishment to the embryo 2 a homologous organ in most mammalian embryos that contains no yolk and that becomes a vestige at an early embryonic stage
yolk stalk a short, thick, tubular stalk between the embryo and the yolk sac
Yom Kippur (yäm kip´эr, yöm; Heb youm´ ki: pu:ř´) one of the Jewish High Holidays, the Day of Atonement, a fast day observed on the 10th day of Tishri: Lev. 16:29-34 [Heb yom-kipur < yom, day + kipur < kiper, atone < root kpr, deny, disavow]
yon (yän) •adj., adv. [Now Chiefly Dial.] yonder pron. [Now Chiefly Dial.] that or those at a distance [ME yone < OE geon, akin to Ger jener, Goth jains, that < IE pronominal base *eno-, that one > L enim, indeed]
yond (yänd) •adj., adv. [Now Chiefly Dial.] YONDER [ME yond < OE geond, akin to prec.]
yonder (yän´dэr) •adj. 1 farther; more distant (with the) 2 being at a distance, but within, or as within, sight; that or those over there •adv. at or in that place; over there [ME, extension of yond: see YOND]
yoni (you´ni:) •n. Hinduism a representation of the vulva, a symbol used in the worship of Shakti: cf. LINGAM [Sans, vulva, womb]
Yonkers (yæŋ´kэrz) city in SE N.Y., on the Hudson: suburb of New York City: pop. 188,000 [< Du De Jonkers (Land), the young nobleman's (land)]
yoo-hoo (yu:´hu:') •interj., n. a shout or call used to attract someone's attention
yore (yör) •adv. [Obs.] long ago; in times long past •n. time long past: now only in of yore, formerly [ME < OE geara, adv. formation < gear, YEAR]
York (yörk) 1 city in North Yorkshire, on the Ouse River: pop. 105,000 2 city in SE Pa.: pop. 42,000 [after the city in England] 3 Cape see CAPE YORK PENINSULA York (yörk) ruling family of England (1461-85): founded in 1385 when Edward III's son (Edmund of Langley) was created the first Duke of York
York rite a system of ceremonial procedure in Freemasonry
Yorkist (york´ist) •n. a member or supporter of the English royal house of York •adj. of or supporting the house of York, esp. in the Wars of the Roses
Yorkshire (yörk´shir) former county of N England, on the North Sea: now divided into three counties: NORTH YORKSHIRE, SOUTH YORKSHIRE, & WEST YORKSHIRE •n. any of a breed of pure-white hog orig. developed in Yorkshire
Yorkshire pudding a batter of flour, eggs, and milk baked in the drippings of roasting or roasted meat [after prec.]
Yorkshire terrier any of a breed of toy terrier, originating in Yorkshire, with a long, straight, silky coat, steel blue on the body and golden tan on the head and chest
Yorktown (yörk´taun') town in SE Va.: scene of the surrender of Cornwallis to Washington (1781) [after the Duke of York, later CHARLES I]
Yoruba (you´ru: bэ, -bä') •n. 1 pl. -bas or -ba a member of a people of W Nigeria and neighboring regions 2 the language of this people, a tonal language of the Niger-Congo language family •adj. designating or of the Yorubas or their language or culture Yo´ru·ban •adj., n.
Yosemite Falls (you sem´эt i:) series of waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, falling into Yosemite Valley: upper falls, 1,430 ft. (435 m); middle falls, 626 ft. (190 m); lower falls, 320 ft. (97 m); total drop, with intermediate cascades, 2,565 ft. (781 m) [< Miwok (a Penutian language) jos˙eر-HmetiH, lit., there are killers among them: ? name of an AmInd people]
Yosemite National Park national park in EC Calif., in the Sierra Nevadas, notable for its steep-walled valley (Yosemite Valley), high waterfalls, etc.: 1,183 sq. mi. (3,064 sq. km)
you (yu:; unstressed, yu, yэ) pron. 1 the person or persons to whom one is speaking or writing: you is the nominative and objective case form (sing. & pl.), your and yours the possessive (sing. & pl.), and yourself (sing.) and yourselves (pl.) the intensive and reflexive, of the second personal pronoun 2 a person or people generally: equivalent in sense to indefinite one {you can never tell!} [ME you, ou, eow < OE eow, dat. & acc. pl. of ge, YE², akin to Du u < IE base *iw-, you > Sans yuvám, you]
you-all (yu: öl´, yöl) pron. Æ [South Colloq.] YOU: chiefly used as a plural form
you'd (yu:d; unstressed, yud, yэd) 1 you had 2 you would
you'll (yu:l; unstressed, yul, yэl) 1 you will 2 you shall
Young (yûŋ) 1 Brig·ham (brig´эm) 1801-77; U.S. Mormon leader 2 Edward 1683-1765; Eng. poet 3 Thomas 1773-1829; Eng. physician, physicist, & linguist young (yûŋ) young·er (yûŋ´gэr), young·est (yûŋ´gэst) •adj. 1 being in an early period of life or growth; not old 2 characteristic of youth in quality, appearance, or behavior; fresh; vigorous; strong; lively; active 3 representing or embodying a new tendency, social movement, progressivism, etc. {the Young Turks} 4 of or having to do with youth or early life 5 lately begun; not advanced or developed; in an early stage 6 lacking experience or practice; immature; raw; ignorant; green 7 younger than another of the same name or family; junior {young Jones or his father} 8 Geol. a) in a stage of increasing and more effective activity, as a stream cutting deep valleys or gorges b) having undergone little erosion, as a mountain range showing rugged topography •n. 1 young people 2 offspring, esp. young offspring, collectively {a bear and her young} with young pregnant SYN.—young is the general word for one in an early period of life and variously connotes the vigor, strength, immaturity, etc. of this period [a young child, man, etc.; young blood]; youthful applies to one who is, or appears to be, in the period between childhood and maturity or to that which is appropriate to such a person [a youthful executive, youthful hopes]; juvenile applies to that which relates to, is suited to, or is intended for young persons [juvenile delinquency, behavior, books, etc.]; puerile implies reference to adults who unbecomingly display the immature qualities of a child [puerile petulance]; adolescent applies to one in the period between puberty and maturity and especially suggests the awkwardness, emotional instability, etc. of this period [adolescent yearnings] —ANT. old, mature [ME yonge < OE geong, akin to Ger & Du jung < IE *yuwen- > L juvenis, Sans yuvan-, young]
young blood 1 young people; youth 2 youthful strength, vigor, ideas, etc.
Young Pretender name for Charles Edward STUART
Young Turk [also y- T-] any of a group of younger people seeking to take control of an organization, party, country, etc. from an entrenched, usually conservative, group of older people [orig., member of early 20th-c. revolutionary group in Turkey]
youngberry (yûŋ´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a large, sweet, dark-purple berry, a cross between a blackberry and a dewberry 2 the trailing bramble bearing this fruit [after B. M. Young, 19th-c. U.S. horticulturist]
young-eyed (yûŋ´aid') •adj. 1 having the bright, clear, keen eyes associated with youth 2 having a youthful or fresh outlook; enthusiastic, optimistic, etc.
youngish (-ish) •adj. rather young
youngling (-liŋ) •n. 1 a young person; youth 2 a young animal or plant 3 [Now Rare] a novice •adj. young [ME yongling < OE geongling, dim. akin to Ger jüngling, ON ynglingr: see YOUNG & -LING¹]
youngster (yûŋ´stэr) •n. 1 a child 2 a youth 3 a young animal Æ 4 in the U.S. Naval Academy, a member of the second-year, or sophomore, class
Youngstown (yûŋz´taun') city in NE Ohio: pop. 96,000 (met. area with Warren 493,000) [after John Young, an early (c. 1800) settler]
younker (yûŋ´kэr) •n. 1 a) orig., a young nobleman or gentleman Æ b) in 18th-cent. America, a man of property 2 [Now Rare] a youngster [Du jonker < jong, YOUNG + heer, lord, gentleman; akin to Ger junker, JUNKER]
your (yur; often yör; unstressed, yэr) possessive pronominal adj. of, belonging to, or done by you: also used before some formal titles {your Honor, your Majesty} [ME your, eower < OE eower, gen. of ge, ye: see YOU]
you're (yur, yu:r; unstressed, yэr) you are
yours (yurz; often yörz) pron. that or those belonging to you: the absolute form of your, used without a following noun [that book is yours; yours are better]: also used after of to indicate possession [a friend of yours] [ME youres < your + gen. -es: hence, in form, a double poss.]
yours truly 1 a phrase or formula used before the signature in ending a letter 2 [Colloq.] I or me
yourself (yur self´, yэr-) pl. -selves´ (-selvz´) pron. 1 a form of the second person singular pronoun, used: a) as an intensive {you yourself said so} b) as a reflexive {you hurt yourself} c) as a quasi-noun meaning your real, true, or actual self (Ex.: you are not yourself when you rage like that): in this construction your may be considered a possessive pronominal adjective and self a noun, and they may be separated {your own sweet self} 2 ONESELF {it is best to do it yourself}
Youth , Isle of Cuban isle south of W Cuba: c. 1,200 sq. mi. (3,107 sq. km) youth (yu:θ) pl. youths (yu:ðz, yu:θs) •n. 1 the state or quality of being young, esp. of being vigorous and lively, or immature, impetuous, etc. 2 the period of life coming between childhood and maturity; adolescence 3 an early stage of growth or existence 4 young people collectively 5 a young person; esp., a young man [ME youthe < OE geoguthe < *jugunthi < Gmc *juwunthi (with g for w based on *dugunthi-, goodness, valor) akin to Du jeugd: for IE base see YOUNG]
youth hostel any of a system of supervised shelters providing cheap lodging on a cooperative basis for young people on bicycle tours, hikes, etc.
youthful (-fэl) •adj. 1 young; possessing youth; not yet old or mature 2 of, characteristic of, or suitable for youth 3 fresh; vigorous; active 4 new; early; in an early stage 5 Geol. YOUNG (sense 8) SYN. YOUNG youth´ful·ly •adv. youth´ful·ness •n.
you've (yu:v; unstressed, yuv, yэv) you have
yow (yau) •interj. an exclamation of pain, surprise, etc.
yowl (yaul) •vi. to utter a long, mournful cry; howl •n. such a cry [ME goulen, youlen < ON gaula, to howl]
yo-yo (you´you') pl. yo´-yos' •n. 1 a spool-like toy attached to one end of a string upon which it may be made to spin up and down 2 [Slang] a person regarded as stupid, ineffectual, inept, eccentric, etc. •adj. [Colloq.] up-and-down; fluctuating; variable •vi. [Colloq.] to move up and down; fluctuate; vary [< ?: the toy came to the U.S. from the Philippines]
Ypres (i:´přª) town in NW Belgium, near the French border: center of heavy fighting in World War I: pop. 35,000
Ypsilanti (ip'sэ læn´ti:; Gr i:p'si: län´ti:), Alexander 1792-1828 and his brother De·me·tri·os Ypsilanti (dэ mi:´tri: эs) 1793-1832; Gr. revolutionary leaders against the Turks
Yquem (i: kem´) •n. a Sauternes of very high quality produced at the Château d' Yquem in SW France
yr 1 year(s) 2 younger 3 your
yrs 1 years 2 yours
Ysaye (i: zå i:´), Eu·gène (ö zhen´) 1858-1931; Belgian violinist, composer, & conductor
Yseult (i su:lt´) alt. sp. of ISEULT (Isolde)
YT Yukon Territory
ytterbic (i tør´bik) •adj. of or containing ytterbium, esp. trivalent ytterbium
ytterbium (i tør´bi: эm) •n. a scarce, divalent or trivalent, silvery, malleable chemical element of the rare-earth metals, resembling and found with yttrium in gadolinite and certain other minerals: symbol, Yb; at. wt., 173.04; at. no., 70; sp. gr., 6.97; melt. pt., 819°C; boil. pt., 1,196°C [ModL, contr. < neoytterbium, so named (1907) by its discoverer, G. Urbain (see LUTETIUM) < ytterbia, ytterbium oxide, name coined (1878) by J.-C. G. de Marignac, Swiss chemist who isolated it, after Ytterby: see ERBIUM]
ytterbous (-bэs) •adj. of or containing ytterbium, esp. divalent ytterbium
yttria (i´tri: э) •n. yttrium oxide, Y2O3, a heavy, white powder, insoluble in water: used in electronics, color television tubes, etc. [ModL: so named (1797) after Ytterby (see ERBIUM), source of rare earth complex discovered by Gadolin (see GADOLINITE)]
yttric (i´trik') •adj. of or containing yttrium
yttrium (i´tri: эm) •n. a rare, trivalent, silvery, metallic chemical element found in combination in gadolinite, monazite sand, samarskite, etc.: used in color TV tubes, gemstones, etc.: symbol, Y; at. wt., 88.905; at. no., 39; sp. gr., 4.47; melt. pt., 1,522°C; boil. pt., 3,338°C [ModL < YTTRIA + -IUM: name proposed (1822) before isolation of the element by Mosander (see ERBIUM) in 1843]
yttrium metals a series of closely related metals including yttrium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and sometimes, terbium, gadolinium, and dysprosium
Yuan (yu: än´) 1 river in SE China flowing from Guizhou province through Hunan into Dongting Lake: c. 550 mi. (885 km) 2 Chinese name of the RED (river in Vietnam) yuan (yu: än´) •n. the basic monetary unit of China: see MONEY, table [Mandarin yüan, lit., round]
Yucatán Channel strait between the Yucatán Peninsula & Cuba, joining the Gulf of Mexico & the Caribbean: 135 mi. (217 km) wide
Yucatán or Yucatan (yu:'kä tän´; E yu:'kэ tæn´) 1 peninsula comprising SE Mexico, Belize, & part of W Guatemala: it separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean: c. 70,000 sq. mi. (181,299 sq. km) 2 state of Mexico, on this peninsula: 14,827 sq. mi. (38,402 sq. km); pop. 1,063,000; cap. Mérida
Yucatec (yu:´kэ tek') •n. 1 pl. -tecs' or -tec' a member of a North American Indian people of the Yucatán Peninsula 2 the Mayan language of this people •adj. designating or of the Yucatecs or their language or culture Yu'ca·tec´an •adj., n.
yucca (yûk´э) •n. 1 any of a genus (Yucca) of plants of the agave family, having stiff, sword-shaped leaves and white flowers in an erect raceme, found in the U.S. and Latin America 2 the flower of any of these plants [ModL < AmSp yuca < Taino]
yuck¹ (yûk) •n., vi. alt. sp. of YUK
yuck² (yûk) [Slang] •n. something unpleasant, disgusting, etc. •interj. an expression of distaste, disgust, etc. Also sp. yuch or yucch
yucky (yûk´i:) yuck´i·er, yuck´i·est •adj. [Slang] unpleasant, disgusting, etc.
Yug Yugoslavia
Yuga (yug´э) •n. any of the four ages or eras of the world according to Hindu religious writings, each period being shorter, darker, and less righteous than the preceding [Sans yuga, an age, YOKE]
Yugo Yugoslavia
Yugoslav (yu:´gou släv´, -gэ-) •adj. of Yugoslavia or its people: also Yu'go·slav´ic •n. a native or inhabitant of Yugoslavia Also Yu'go·sla´vi·an (-slä´vi: эn, -släv´yэn)
Yugoslavia (yu:'gou slä´vi: э, -gэ-; -släv´yэ) country in the NW Balkan Peninsula, bordering on the Adriatic: established as a nation in 1918 (called Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, 1918-29), became a federal republic (1945): four constituent republics (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, & Macedonia) separated from it in 1991: 39,449 sq. mi. (102,173 sq. km); pop. 10,337,504; cap. Belgrade
yuk (yûk) •n. [Slang] a loud laugh of amusement, or something causing it •vi. yukked, yuk´king [Slang] to laugh loudly [echoic]
Yukawa (yu: kä´wä), Hi·de·ki (hi:´de ki:') 1907-81; Jpn. physicist
Yukon (yu:´kän') 1 territory of NW Canada, east of Alas.: c. 207,076 sq. mi. (536,324 sq. km); pop. 22,000; cap. Whitehorse: usually used with the: abbrev. YT: in full Yukon Territory 2 river flowing through this territory & Alas. into the Bering Sea: 1,979 mi. (3,184 km) [prob. < Athabaskan river name < ?]
yule (yu:l) •n. [often Y-] Christmas or the Christmas season [ME < OE geol, iul, orig., name of a heathen festival at the winter solstice; akin to ON jol]
yule log a large log formerly used as the foundation for the ceremonial Christmas Eve fire
yuletide (-taid') •n. [often Y-] Christmastime
yum (yûm) •interj. excellent; delicious: an expression of pleasure or enjoyment Also yum´-yum´ [echoic: see YUMMY]
Yuma (yu:´mэ) •n. 1 pl. -mas or -ma a member of a North American Indian people living in SW Arizona and adjacent regions of California and Mexico 2 the language of this people, belonging to the Yuman language family [< ?] Yuma (yu:´mэ) city in SW Ariz.: pop. 55,000 [after prec.]
Yuman (-mэn) •n. 1 a member of a group of North American Indian peoples of the SW U.S. and NW Mexico 2 a family of languages spoken by these peoples, including Yuma •adj. designating or of these peoples or their languages or cultures
yummy (yûm´i:) -mi·er, -mi·est •adj. [Colloq.] very tasty; delectable; delicious {a yummy cake} [echoic of a sound made in expressing pleasure at a taste]
Yunnan (yu:´nän´) province of S China: 168,417 sq. mi. (436,200 sq. km); pop. 32,553,000; cap. Kunming
yup (yûp) •adv. [Slang] yes: an affirmative reply
yuppie (yûp´i:) •n. [Colloq.] any of those young professionals of the 1980's variously regarded as upscale, ambitious, materialistic, faddish, etc. [y(oung) u(rban) p(rofessional) + -p- + -IE]
yurt (yurt) •n. a circular tent of felt or skins on a framework of poles, used by nomads of Mongolia [< Russ yurta, yurt < a Turkic language: orig. meaning dwelling, home]
Yvonne (i: vän´) a feminine name: var. Yvette
YWCA Young Women's Christian Association
YWHA Young Women's Hebrew Association
z abbrev. 1 Astron. zenith distance 2 zero 3 zone Z abbrev. 1 Chem., Physics atomic number 2 Elec. impedance 3 Astron. zenith distance
Z particle a massive, short-lived, uncharged boson believed to mediate the weak interaction in the beta decay process
z¹ or Z (zi:; Brit, etc. zed) pl. z's, Z's •n. 1 the twenty-sixth and last letter of the English alphabet: via Latin from the Greek zeta 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the (z) in zone 3 a type or impression for Z or z 4 the twenty-sixth in a sequence or group 5 an object shaped like Z •adj. 1 of Z or z 2 twenty-sixth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like Z
z² (zi:) •n. Math. 1 the third of a set of unknown quantities, x and y usually being the first two 2 a variable
Zaandam (zän däm´) former city in W Netherlands, now part of Zaanstad
Zaanstad (zän´stät') city in W Netherlands, near Amsterdam: pop. 129,000
zabaglione (zä'bэl you´ni:, -bäl-; -nei) •n. a frothy dessert or sauce made of eggs, sugar, and wine, typically Marsala, beaten together over boiling water [It, aug. of zabaione, ult. < LL sabaia, an Illyrian barley drink, beer, ult. < IE base *sab-, to taste > SAP¹]
Zabrze (zäb´zhe) city in Silesia, S Poland: pop. 200,000
Zacatecas (sä'kä te´käs) 1 state of NC Mexico: 28,282 sq. mi. (73,252 sq. km); pop. 1,136,000 2 its capital: pop. 56,000
zacatón (sä'kä toun´) •n. 1 any of various wiry grasses of the SW U.S. and Mexico: used in making brushes, paper, etc. 2 SACATON [Sp, augmentative of zacate, grass < Nahuatl sakaλ]
Zachariah (zæk'э rai´э) a masculine name: dim. Zach; var. Zacharias, Zachary, Zechariah [LL(Ec) Zacharias < Gr(Ec) < Heb zecharya, lit., God remembers < zachar, to remember + ya, God]
Zacharias (-эs) 1 a masculine name: see ZACHARIAH 2 Bible a) the father of John the Baptist: Luke 1:5 b) a man named as a martyr by Jesus: Matt. 23:25
Zachary (zæk´э ri:) a masculine name: see ZACHARIAH
zaddick (tsä´dik) pl. zad·dik·im (tsä di:´kim) •n. 1 Judaism a righteous and just man 2 the spiritual leader of a Hasidic community [Heb tsadik < adj., righteous and just < root cdq, to be right]
zaffer or zaffre (zæf´эr) •n. a mixture of impure oxides of cobalt, used in making smalt and as a blue pigment in ceramic glazes, glassmaking, etc. [< Fr zafre or It zaffera, prob. < Ar sufr, yellow copper, brass]
zaftig (zäf´tig') •adj. [Slang] having a full, shapely figure: said of a woman [E Yidd zaftik, lit., juicy, succulent < zaft, juice < MHG saft, earlier saf, juice, SAP¹ + -ig, -Y²]
zag (zæg) •n. 1 any of the short, sharp angles or turns of a zigzag pattern, as alternating with a zig 2 any sharp turn away from a straight course •vi. zagged, zag´ging 1 to move in a zag 2 to zigzag [see ZIGZAG]
Zagreb (zä´greb') capital of Croatia, on the Sava River: pop. 1,174,000
Zagros Mountains (zæg´rэs) mountain system in W & S Iran, extending along the borders of Turkey & Iraq & along the Persian Gulf: highest peak, over 14,000 ft. (4,270 m)
zaibatsu (zai´bät su:´) •n.pl. sing. -tsu´ the few families that dominate Japanese finance, commerce, and industry [Jpn < SinoJpn zai, wealth + batsu, family]
zaire (zä ir´) pl. za·ire´ •n. the basic monetary unit of Zaire: see MONEY, table [< Port, prob. < Kongo nzadi, big river]
Zaire or Zaïre (zä ir´) 1 country in central Africa, on the equator: the former Belgian Congo, it became independent (1960): 905,563 sq. mi. (2,345,400 sq. km); pop. 31,330,000; cap. Kinshasa 2 CONGO (River) Za·ir´i·an or Za·ïr´i·an •adj., n.
Zákinthos (zä´ki:n θös') one of the southernmost islands of the Ionian group, Greece: 155 sq. mi. (401 sq. km)
Zama (zei´mэ, zä´mä) ancient town in N Africa, southwest of Carthage: scene of a battle (202 B.C.) in which Scipio defeated Hannibal, ending the 2d Punic War
Zambezi (zæm bi:´zi:) river in S Africa, flowing from NW Zambia into the Mozambique Channel: c. 1,600 mi. (2,574 km)
Zambia (zæm´bi: э) country in S Africa: formerly the British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia, it became independent & a member of the Commonwealth (1964): 290,585 sq. mi. (752,614 sq. km); pop. 7,054,000; cap. Lusaka Zam´bi·an •adj., n.
Zamboanga (zäm'bou äŋ´gэ) seaport in the Philippines, on the SW coast of Mindanao: pop. 344,000
zamia (zei´mi: э) •n. any of a genus (Zamia) of cycads growing in Florida and tropical regions, having a short, thick trunk, pinnately compound, palmlike leaves, and short, thick cones [ModL < L zamiae (pl.), false reading in Pliny the Elder for (nuces) azaniae, pine (nuts)]
zamindar (zэ mi:n'där´) •n. [Historical] in India, a) a collector of the revenue for land b) a landowner, esp. one paying revenue [Hindi zamīndār, an occupant of land, landholder < Pers < zamīn, land, earth + -dār, holding]
Zangbo (zäŋ´bou) the upper course of the Brahmaputra, in Tibet: c. 900 mi. (1,448 km)
Zangwill (zæŋ´wil'), Israel 1864-1926; Eng. novelist & playwright
Zante (zän´tei) ZÁKINTHOS
zany (zei´ni:) pl. -nies •n. 1 a clown or buffoon; specif., a former stock character in comedies who clownishly aped the principal actors 2 a silly or foolish person; simpleton •adj. -ni·er, -ni·est of or characteristic of a zany; specif., a) comical in an extravagantly ludicrous or slapstick manner b) foolish or crazy za´ni·ly •adv. za´ni·ness •n. [Fr zani < It dial. (Venetian) zani, zanni, a zany, clown, orig. a familiar abbrev. pronun. of Giovanni, JOHN]
Zanzibar (zæn´zэ bär') 1 island off the E coast of Africa: 640 sq. mi. (1,657 sq. km); pop. 476,000 2 former sultanate & British protectorate including this island, Pemba, & small nearby islands: it became independent (1963) & merged with Tanganyika (1964) to form Tanzania 3 seaport on the island of Zanzibar: pop. 110,000 Zan'zi·ba´ri (-bär´i:) •adj., n.
zap (zæp) zapped, zap´ping •vt., vi. [Slang] to move, strike, stun, smash, kill, defeat, etc. suddenly and with great speed and force •n. [Slang] energy, verve, pep, zip, etc. •interj. an exclamation used to express sudden, swift action or change [echoic blend < ? Z(IP) and (SL)AP, popularized in comic-strip use]
Zaporozhye (zä'pэ rou´zhэ) city in SE Ukraine, on the Dnepr: pop. 852,000
Zapotec (zä'pэ tek´, sä'-) •n. 1 pl. -tecs´ or -tec´ a member of a North American Indian people of S Mexico 2 the Zapotecan language or group of dialects spoken by this people •adj. designating or of the Zapotecs or their language or culture
Zapotecan (zä'pэ tek´эn, sä'-) •n. a small family of Amerindian languages spoken in Mexico
Zaragoza (θä'řä gô´θä) city in NE Spain, on the Ebro River: pop. 590,000: Eng. name SARAGOSSA
zaratite (zä´rэ tait') •n. a hydrated, basic carbonate of nickel, found in emerald-green incrustations on chromite and magnetite [Sp zaratita, after Señor Zarate]
zareba or zareeba (zэ ri:´bэ) •n. in the Sudan and surrounding territory, a camping place or enclosure formed by a palisade or thorn hedge [Ar zarība, a pen]
zarf (zärf) •n. a small, metal, cuplike holder, usually ornamented, used in the Levant to hold a hot coffee cup [Ar zarf, receptacle, vessel]
zarzuela (zär zwei´lэ) •n. a type of Spanish operetta or vaudeville [Sp: after La Zarzuela, royal palace near Madrid, where first performed (1629)]
z-axis (zi:´æk'sis) pl. z´-ax'es' (-si:z') •n. Geom. one of the three axes in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system along which values of z are measured
zayin (zä´yin) name of the seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ז) •n. [Heb zāyin]
zeal (zi:l) •n. intense enthusiasm, as in working for a cause; ardent endeavor or devotion; ardor; fervor SYN. PASSION [ME zele < LL(Ec) zelus, zeal, emulation < Gr zēlos, zeal, ardor < IE base *yā-, to be excited, praise > OSlav jaru, furious]
Zealand (zi:´lэnd) largest island of Denmark, between Jutland & Sweden: 2,702 sq. mi. (6,998 sq. km); chief city, Copenhagen: Dan. name SJÆLLAND
zealot (zel´эt) •n. 1 a person who is zealous, esp. to an extreme or excessive degree; fanatic 2 [Z-] among the ancient Jews, a member of a radical political and religious sect who openly resisted Roman rule in Palestine zeal´ot·ry •n. SYN.—zealot implies extreme or excessive devotion to a cause and vehement activity in its support [zealots of reform]; fanatic suggests the unreasonable overzealousness of one who goes to any length to maintain or carry out his or her beliefs [a temperance fanatic]; an enthusiast is one who is animated by an intense and eager interest in an activity, cause, etc. [a sports enthusiast]; bigot implies blind and intolerant devotion to a creed, opinions, etc. [a religious bigot] [LL(Ec) zelotes, one who is jealous < Gr zēlōtēs, zealous follower < zēloun, to be zealous < zēlos, ZEAL]
zealous (zel´эs) •adj. full of, characterized by, or showing zeal; ardently devoted to a purpose; fervent; enthusiastic zeal´ous·ly •adv. zeal´ous·ness •n. [ML zelosus < LL(Ec) zelus: see ZEAL]
zebec or zebeck (zi:´bek') •n. XEBEC
Zebedee (zeb´э di:') Bible father of the disciples James and John: Matt. 4:21 [LL(Ec) Zebedaeus < Gr(Ec) Zebedaios, prob. < Heb zevadya, lit., God has bestowed < zavad, to donate, bestow + ya, God]
zebra (zi:´brэ; Brit, & often Cdn, zeb´rэ) pl. -bras or -bra •n. 1 any of several swift African perissodactylous mammals (family Equidae) of the same genus (Equus) as the horse and ass, having dark stripes on a white or tawny body 2 a butterfly (Heliconius charitonius) with black wings crossed by several yellowish bands: in full zebra butterfly ze´brine' (-brain', -brin) •adj. [Port, zebra, earlier used of a wild ass (now extinct): said to be of Congolese orig., but prob. ult. < L equiferus, wild horse < equus (see HIPPO-) + ferus (see FIERCE)]
zebra crossing [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a crosswalk, indicated by white stripes marked on the road, in which the pedestrian has the right of way
zebra finch a small Australian grass finch (Poephila guttata), of the same family (Estrildidae) as the waxbill, with a grayish back and head, a whitish belly, and a brown patch on each cheek: often kept as a cage bird
zebra fish any of various fishes with barred, zebralike markings, as a danio (Danio rerio), often kept in aquariums
zebrass (zi:´bræs') •n. the offspring of a male zebra and a female ass [ZEBR(A) + ASS¹]
zebrawood (zi:´brэ wud') •n. 1 the hard, striped wood of a South American shrub (Connarus guianensis) of a family (Connaraceae, order Rosales) of tropical dicotyledonous trees and shrubs, used in cabinetmaking 2 the striped wood of various other trees or shrubs 3 any of these trees or shrubs
zebu (zi:´byu:', -bu:') pl. -bus' or -bu' a domesticated ox (Bos indicus) native to Asia and parts of Africa: it has a large hump over the shoulders, short, curving horns, pendulous ears, and a large dewlap and is resistant to heat and insect-borne diseases: see BRAHMAN (sense 2) •n. [Fr zébu < ?]
Zebulun (zeb´yэ lэn, zэ byu:´lэn) Bible 1 Jacob's tenth son, whose mother was Leah: Gen. 30:20 2 the tribe of Israel descended from him: Num. 1:30 [Heb zevulun < ?]
Zechariah (zek'э rai´э) 1 a masculine name: see ZACHARIAH 2 Bible a) a Hebrew prophet of the 6th cent. B.C. who urged the rebuilding of the Temple b) the book of his prophecies (abbrev. Zech or Zec)
zechin (zek´in) •n. SEQUIN (sense 1) [It zecchino: see SEQUIN]
zed (zed) •n. [Brit., etc.] the letter Z, z [ME < MFr zede < LL zeta < Gr zēta]
zedoary (zed´ou er'i:) •n. 1 an aromatic substance obtained from the dried, pulverized rhizome of an East Indian turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria) of the ginger family and used as a condiment, in flavoring, in perfumery, and, in India, as a stimulant and carminative 2 this plant [ME zeduarye < ML zedoaria < Ar zadwār < Pers]
zee (zi:) pl. zees •n. the letter Z
Zeeland (zi:´lэnd; Du zei´länt') province of the SW Netherlands, on the North Sea: 689 sq. mi. (1,785 sq. km); pop. 327,000
Zeeman (zei´män'), Pie·ter (pi:´tэr) 1865-1943; Du. physicist
Zeeman effect Physics the effect produced upon the structure of the spectral lines of light emitted or absorbed by atoms subjected to a moderately strong magnetic field, resulting in the splitting of each spectrum line into two or three lines (normal Zeeman effect) or into many lines (anomalous Zeeman effect) [after prec.]
zein (zi:´in) •n. a white, tasteless, odorless protein extracted from corn, used in plastics, coatings, paints, inks, etc. [< ModL Zea, a genus of grasses (< Gr zeia, one-seeded wheat < IE base *yewo-, grain, barley > Sans yava-, Lith jãvas, a kind of grain) + -IN¹]
Zeist (zaist) city in the central Netherlands, near Utrecht: pop. 60,000
Zeitgeist (tsait´gaist') •n. the spirit of the age; trend of thought and feeling in a period [Ger, time spirit]
zemindar (zi mi:n'där´) •n. var. of ZAMINDAR
zemstvo (zemst´vou') pl. zem´stvos' (-vouz') or zem´stva (-vэ) •n. a local administrative body in czarist Russia [Russ < zemlya, earth < IE base *ghthem- > HOMO¹]
Zen (zen) •n. 1 a variety of Buddhism, now practiced esp. in Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, seeking to attain an intuitive illumination of mind and spirit through meditation, esp. on paradoxes 2 the teachings and discipline of this kind of Buddhism [Jpn < Chin ch'an, ult. < Sans dhyāna, thinking, meditation < IE base *dhyā, to see, contemplate > Gr sēma, a sign, symbol]
zenaida (dove) (zэ nei´э dэ) either of two wild doves, (Zenaida aurita) of Florida and the Caribbean, or (Z. asiatica) of the SW U.S. to Chile [ModL: after Zénaïde, wife of C. L. Bonaparte (1803-57), Fr ornithologist]
zenana (ze nä´nэ) in India and Iran, the part of the house reserved for women [Hindi zanāna < Pers < zan, woman, akin to Gr gynē, woman: see GYNO-]
Zend (zend) the Middle Persian translation of and commentary on the Avesta •n. old name for AVESTAN Zend´ic •adj. [Pers, interpretation, short for fol.]
Zend-Avesta (-э ves´tэ) AVESTA [Fr, altered < Avestá-va-Zend < MPers avastāk va zand, lit., (sacred) text and interpretation]
zener diode (zi:´nэr) a semiconductor rectifier diode in which there is a sharp transition from a very low current below a predetermined voltage (zener voltage) to a large current above this voltage [after Clarence Zener (1905- ), U.S. physicist]
Zenger (zeŋ´эr, -gэr), John Peter 1697-1746; Am. journalist & publisher, born in Germany
zenith (zi:´niθ; Brit, & often Cdn, zen´iθ) •n. 1 the point directly overhead in the sky or on the celestial sphere: opposed to NADIR 2 the highest point; peak SYN. SUMMIT [ME senyth < MFr cenith < ML cenit < senit, scribal error for Ar samt, road, path (as in samt al-raرs, zenith, lit., way of the head) < L semita, path, way]
Zeno (zi:´nou) 1 5th cent. B.C.; Gr. Eleatic philosopher: also Zeno of E·le·a (i:´li: э) (town in Italy) 2 c. 334-c. 261 B.C.; Gr. philosopher: founder of Stoicism: also Zeno of Ci·ti·um (sish´i: эm) (city in Cyprus)
Zenobia (zэ nou´bi: э) 3d cent. A.D.; queen of Palmyra [L < Gr Zēnobia]
zeolite (zi:´ou lait', zi:´э-) •n. 1 any of a large group of natural hydrous aluminum silicates of sodium, calcium, potassium, or barium, chiefly found in cavities in igneous rocks and characterized by a ready loss or gain of water of hydration: many are capable of ion exchange with solutions 2 a similar natural or synthetic silicate, used for softening water ze'o·lit´ic (-lit´ik) •adj. [Swed zeolit < Gr zein, to boil (see YEAST): from its swelling up when heated]
Zephaniah (zef'э nai´э) Bible 1 a Hebrew prophet of the 7th cent. B.C. 2 the book of his prophecies: abbrev. Zeph or Zep [Heb tsefanya, lit., the Lord has hidden < tsafan, to hide + ya, God]
zephyr (zef´эr) •n. 1 the west wind 2 a soft, gentle breeze 3 a fine, soft, lightweight yarn, cloth, or garment [Z-] ZEPHYRUS SYN. WIND² [ME zeferus < L zephyrus < Gr zephyros, the west wind]
Zephyrus (zef´э rэs) Gr. Myth. the west wind personified as a god [L: see ZEPHYR]
zeppelin (zep´э lin) •n. [often Z-] any rigid airship: commonly used from 1900 to 1937 [after Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917), Ger general who designed it]
zero (zir´ou, zi:´rou) pl. -ros or -roes •n. 1 the symbol or numeral 0, cipher; naught 2 the point, marked 0, from which positive or negative quantities are reckoned on a graduated scale, as on a thermometer; specif., a) on a centigrade thermometer, the freezing point of water b) on a Fahrenheit thermometer, a point 32° below the freezing point of water 3 a temperature that causes a thermometer to register zero 4 the point intermediate between positive and negative quantities 5 nothing 6 the lowest point {his chances of success sank to zero} 7 Gunnery a sight setting for a range, allowing for both elevation and windage •adj. 1 of or at zero 2 without measurable value 3 Aeron. a) designating or of a ceiling that is at or near the ground, specif. one at a height of fifty feet or lower b) designating or of visibility along the ground regarded as within the limit of a few feet 4 Linguis. designating a hypothetical inflectional form {the plural of deer is said to be formed by the addition of a zero allomorph of the plural morpheme} •vt. -roed, -ro·ing to adjust (an instrument, etc.) to a zero point or to an arbitrary point from which all positive and negative readings are to be measured zero in 1 to adjust the zero of (a gun) 2 to aim (a gun) or concentrate (firepower) directly at or on (a target) zero in on 1 to adjust gunfire so as to be aiming directly at (a target) 2 to concentrate attention on; focus on [Fr zéro < It zero < Ar sifr, CIPHER]
zero (population) growth a condition in a given population in which the birthrate equals the death rate, so that the population remains constant
zero gravity Physics a weightless condition in which an object appears not to be influenced by gravity because other objects in its immediate surroundings are undergoing the same acceleration
zero hour 1 the hour or moment at which a military attack or other important operation is to begin 2 any crucial moment
zero-base (-beis') •adj. designating or of a technique for preparing a budget, in which each proposed item is evaluated on its merits without considering any previous budget Also ze´ro-based' [from the idea of starting at zero]
zero-coupon (-ku:'pän) •adj. designating or of a bond which pays no interest, but is sold at a discount and redeemed upon maturity at its face value
zero-sum (-sûm') •adj. in game theory, designating or of a situation, competition, etc. in which a gain for one must result in an equal loss for another or others
zero-zero (zir´ou zir´ou) •adj. having or characterized by weather conditions in which both ceiling and visibility are zero
zest (zest) •n. 1 a usually thin piece of orange peel or lemon peel used as flavoring 2 something that gives flavor, relish, or piquancy 3 stimulating or exciting quality 4 keen enjoyment; gusto (often with for) {a zest for life} zest´ful •adj. zest´ful·ly •adv. zest´ful·ness •n. zest´y •adj. [Fr zeste, partition membrane in a nut, hence piece of orange or orange peel used to give piquancy]
zeta (zeit´э, zi:t´э) name of the sixth letter of the Greek alphabet (Ζ, ζ) •n. [Gr zēta]
Zetland (zet´lэnd) var. of SHETLAND
zeugma (zyu:g´mэ, zu:g´-) •n. 1 SYLLEPSIS 2 a figure of speech in which a single word, usually a verb or adjective, is syntactically related to two or more words, though having a different sense in relation to each (Ex.: The room was not light, but his fingers were) zeug·mat´ic (-mæt´ik) •adj. [L < Gr, lit., YOKE]
Zeus (zyu:s, zu:s) Gr. Myth. the chief deity, son of Cronus and Rhea and husband of Hera: identified with the Roman Jupiter [Gr: for IE base see DEITY]
Zeuxis (zu:ks´is) fl. 5th cent. B.C.; Gr. painter
Zhangjiakou (jäŋ´ji: ä´kou´) city in Hebei province, NE China, at a gateway of the Great Wall: pop. 1,000,000
Zhanjiang (jäŋ´ji: äŋ´) city in S China, on the Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong province: formerly (1898-1946) in territory leased by France: pop. 220,000
Zhao Ziyang (jau´dzi: yäŋ´) 1919- ; Chin. Communist leader: prime minister of China (1980-88); general secretary of the Communist Party (1987-89)
Zhdanov (zhdän´öf') name (1948-91) of MARIUPOL
Zhejiang (je´ji: äŋ´) province of E China, on the East China Sea: 39,300 sq. mi. (101,800 sq. km); pop. 38,885,000; cap. Hangzhou
Zhengzhou (jeŋ´jou´) city in EC China: capital of Henan province: pop. 1,424,000
Zhenjiang (jen´ji: äŋ´) city in Jiangsu province, E China, at the juncture of the Grand Canal & the Chang River: pop. 250,000
Zhou En-lai (jou'en'lai´) Pinyin form of CHOU EN-LAI
Zhu (ju:) river in SE China, forming an estuary between Macao & Hong Kong: c. 100 mi. (160 km)
Zhukov (zhu:´köf'), Ge·or·gi K(onstantinovich) (gyöř´gi:) 1896-1974; Soviet marshal
Zhuzhou (ju:´jou´) city in E Hunan province, in SE China: pop. 350,000
zibeline or zibelline (zib´э lain', -li:n', -lin) •adj. of or having to do with sables •n. 1 the fur of the sable 2 a soft woolen dress material with a furlike nap [Fr zibeline < It zibellino < Slav base > SABLE]
Zibo (dzi:´bou´) city in Shandong province, NE China: pop. 927,000
zidovudine (zai dou´vyu: di:n') •n. an antiviral drug used in the treatment of AIDS
Ziegfeld (zig´feld'), Flor·enz (flör´эnz) 1869-1932; U.S. theatrical producer
Ziegler (tsi:k´lэř), Karl (käřl) 1898-1973; Ger. chemist
zig (zig) •n. 1 any of the short, sharp angles or turns of a zigzag pattern, alternating with a zag 2 any sharp turn away from a straight course •vi. zigged, zig´ging 1 to move in a zig 2 to zigzag [see ZIGZAG]
ziggurat (zig´u ræt') •n. a temple tower of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, in the form of a terraced pyramid with each story smaller than the one below it Also zik´ku·rat (zik´-) [Akkadian ziqqurratu, temple tower < zaqru, high, massive]
Zigong (dzi:´göŋ´) city in Sichuan province, SC China: pop. 600,000
zigzag (zig´zæg') •n. 1 a series of short, sharp angles or turns in alternate directions, as in a line or course 2 something characterized by such a series, as a design, path, etc. •adj. having the form of a zigzag {zigzag stitching} •adv. in a zigzag course •vt., vi. -zagged', -zag'ging to move or form in a zigzag [Fr, prob. < Ger zickzack, redupl. < zacke, a tooth, sharp prong or point]
zilch (zilch) •n. [Slang] nothing; zero [nonsense syllable, orig. used in the 1930's as name of a character in the magazine Ballyhoo]
zillah (zil´э) •n. in India under British rule, an administrative district [Hindi dil < Ar dila؟, a rib, side; akin to Akkadian sēlu, rib]
zillion (zil´yэn) •n. [Colloq.] a very large, indefinite number [arbitrary coinage, after MILLION]
zillionaire (zil'yэ ner´) •n. [Colloq.] a person thought to have wealth so great it cannot be measured [prec. + (MILLION)AIRE]
Zilpah (zil´pэ) Bible the mother of Gad and Asher: Gen. 30:10-13 [Heb zilpa, akin to zelef, a spray, sprinkling]
Zimb Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (zim bä´bwei', -bwi:') country in S Africa, north of South Africa and west of Mozambique: a self-governing British colony, it joined with Northern Rhodesia (now ZAMBIA) and Nyasaland (now MALAWI) to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-63): made unilateral declaration of independence (1965) & proclaimed republic (1970): majority rule principle accepted (1979): gained independence (1980): a member of the Commonwealth: old names Southern Rhodesia (until 1964), Rhodesia (1964-72): 151,000 sq. mi. (391,090 sq. km); pop. 8,984,000; cap. Harare Zim·ba´bwe·an (-bwi: эn) •adj., n. [after a ruined city in the SE part, probably built (c. 15th c.) by a Bantu people]
zinc (ziŋk) •n. a bluish-white, metallic chemical element, usually found in combination, used as a protective coating for iron, as a constituent in various alloys, as an electrode in electric batteries, and, in the form of salts, in medicines: symbol, Zn; at. wt., 65.38; at. no., 30; sp. gr., 7.14; melt. pt., 419.4°C; boil. pt., 907°C •vt. zincked or zinced, zinck´ing or zinc´ing to coat or treat with zinc; galvanize zinc´ic (-ik) or zinc´ous (-эs) •adj. zinck´y (-i:), zink´y, or zinc´y •adj. [Ger zink, zinc, orig., prong, point: first used by PARACELSUS (c. 1526): from the form of the crystals on smelting; akin to OHG zint, a point, jag < Gmc *tindja > TINE]
zinc blende SPHALERITE
zinc chloride a white, crystalline powder, ZnCl2, used as a catalyst, wood preservative, antiseptic, etc. and in soldering fluxes, adhesives, parchment paper, embalming fluids, etc.
zinc ointment an ointment containing zinc oxide
zinc oxide a white powder, ZnO, used as a pigment and in making rubber articles, cosmetics, ointments, etc.
zinc sulfate a colorless, crystalline powder, ZnSO4·7H2O, used as an emetic in medicine, as a mordant in dyeing, etc.
zinc sulfide a yellowish-white, crystalline powder, ZnS, used in a phosphorescent form in making television screens and luminous watch faces, and also as a pigment, etc.
zinc white zinc oxide used as a white pigment
zincate (-eit') •n. a salt produced by the reaction of amphoteric zinc hydroxide as an acid
zincite (ziŋk´ait') •n. a native oxide of zinc, ZnO, a deep-red to yellowish hexagonal mineral, usually containing some manganese: a minor ore of zinc
zincography (ziŋ käg´rэ fi:) •n. the art or process of engraving or etching on zinc plates for printing zin·cog´ra·pher •n. zin'co·graph´ic (-kэ græf´ik) or zin'co·graph´i·cal •adj. [ZINC + -O- + -GRAPHY]
zineb (zin´eb') •n. an insecticide and fungicide, Zn(CS2NHCH2)2, obtained as a dust or wettable powder, used on plants and fruit [zin(c) e(thylene-)b(is-dithiocarbamate)]
zinfandel (zin´fэn del') •n. 1 a dry red wine like claret, made chiefly in California 2 the dark grape from which it is made [< ?]
zing (ziŋ) •n. [Slang] 1 a shrill, high-pitched sound, as of something moving at high speed 2 a lively, zestful quality; zest, vigor, animation, force, vitality, etc. •vi. [Slang] to make a shrill, high-pitched sound •vt. [Slang] 1 to strike or affect forcibly 2 to criticize sharply zing´y, zing´i·er, zing´i·est, •adj. [echoic]
zinger (ziŋ´эr) •n. [Slang] something said or done that has zing, as a retort, punch line, etc.
Zinjanthropus (zin jæn´θrэ pэs) •n. a type of early hominid (Australopithecus boisei) who lived about 1,500,000 years ago in the Lower Pleistocene, known from fossil remains found in Tanganyika in 1959 [ModL < Ar Zinj, people of East Africa + Gr anthrōpos, man: see ANTHROPO-]
zinkenite (ziŋ´kэn ait') •n. a steel-gray metallic mineral, PbSb2S4, a sulfide of lead and antimony [Ger zinkenit, after J. K. Zincken (1790-1862), Ger geologist]
zinnia (zin´i: э, zin´yэ) •n. any of a genus (Zinnia) of plants of the composite family, having colorful flower heads, native to North and South America [ModL, after J. G. Zinn (1727-59), Ger botanist]
Zinsser (zin´sэr), Hans 1878-1940; U.S. bacteriologist & writer
Zion (zai´эn) 1 orig., a Canaanite fortress in Jerusalem captured by David and called in the Bible City of David 2 later, the hill in Jerusalem on which the Temple was built: Zion has historically been regarded by Jews as a symbol of the center of Jewish national life 3 Jerusalem 4 the land of Israel •n. 1 the Jewish people 2 heaven; the heavenly city 3 the theocracy of God [ME Syon < OE Sion < LL(Ec) < Heb tsiyon]
Zion National Park national park in SW Utah, noted for its spectacular rock formations: 206 sq. mi. (533 sq. km) [after Zion Canyon in the park, which was named (c. 1850) by Mormon settlers]
Zionism (-iz'эm) •n. a movement formerly for reestablishing, now for supporting, the Jewish national state of Israel Zi´on·ist •n., adj. Zi'on·is´tic •adj.
zip (zip) •n. 1 a short, sharp hissing or whizzing sound, as of a passing bullet 2 [Colloq.] energy; vigor; vim 3 [Brit., etc.] ZIPPER: also zip´-fas´ten·er 4 [Slang] nothing; zero {the player was zip-for-12 at the line} 5 [Colloq.] a Zip-Code number Æ zipped, zip´ping •vi. 1 to make, or move with, a zip 2 [Colloq.] to act or move with speed or energy 3 to become fastened or unfastened by means of a zipper Æ vt. to fasten or unfasten with a zipper [echoic]
ZIP Code (zip) a system of code numbers assigned by the postal service to be used as part of the mailing address: each code designates a delivery point [z(oning) i(mprovement) p(lan)]
zip gun a crude, improvised pistol, usually consisting of a piece of pipe attached to a wooden stock, with a firing pin actuated by a rubber band or a spring
Ziploc (zip´läk') trademark for a kind of transparent plastic storage bag sealed by joining special strips along the edges of the opening
zip-lock (zip´läk') •adj. designating or of a plastic storage bag of the Ziploc type
zipper (zip´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that zips 2 a device used to fasten and unfasten two adjoining edges of material, as on the placket of a dress, the fly of a pair of trousers, etc.: it consists of two rows of tiny interlocking tabs which are joined or separated by sliding a part up or down •vt., vi. to fasten or become fastened by means of a zipper
zippy (zip´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. [Colloq.] full of vim and energy; brisk [< ZIP + -Y²]
ziram (zai´ræm') •n. a white powder, Zn(SCSN(CH3)2)2, used as a vegetable fungicide and as a rubber accelerator [ZI(NC) + (THI)RAM]
Zircaloy (zør´kэ loi') trademark for a group of alloys containing about 98% zirconium, 1.5% tin, etc., that are resistant to corrosion and high temperatures and are used to contain fuel in nuclear reactors, etc. [ZIRC(ONIUM) + AL(L)OY]
zircon (zør´kän') •n. a silicate of zirconium, ZrSiO4, a mineral found in igneous and sedimentary rocks and occurring in tetragonal crystals colored yellow, brown, red, etc.: transparent varieties are used as gems [Ger zirkon, altered (by Werner: see WERNERITE) < Fr jargon < It giargone < Ar zarqūn, bright red < Pers zargūn, gold-colored < zar, gold]
zirconia (zэr kou´ni: э) •n. ZIRCONIUM OXIDE [ModL < prec. + -IA: so named (1789) by Klaproth (see TELLURIUM)]
zirconium (zэr kou´ni: эm) •n. a hard, ductile, gray or black, metallic chemical element found combined in zircon, etc., and used in alloys, ceramics, the cladding for nuclear fuel in reactors, etc.: symbol, Zr; at. wt., 91.22; at. no., 40; sp. gr., 6.51; melt. pt., 1,852°C; boil. pt., 4,377°C zir·con´ic (-kän´ik) •adj. [ModL < prec. + -IUM: name proposed (1808) by DAVY for element later isolated (1824) by BERZELIUS]
zirconium oxide zirconium dioxide, ZrO2, a white, infusible powder used in making crucibles, furnace linings, pigments, etc. and, because of its luminosity, in incandescent burners
Ziska (tsis´kä'), Jo·hann (you´hän') Ger. name of Jan ŽIŽKA
zit (zit) •n. [Slang] a pimple, esp. one on the face
zither (ziθ´эr, zið´-) •n. 1 any of a family of musical instruments with strings stretched across a flat soundboard and plucked, bowed, struck with mallets, etc., as the dulcimer, koto, psaltery, etc. 2 a folk instrument of this type of Austria and S Germany [Ger < L cithara < Gr kithara, lute]
ziti (tsi:´ti:, zi:t´i:) •n. pasta in the shape of tubes of medium width, with an outer surface that is either smooth or ridged
zizit or zizith (tsit´sis, tsi:t si:t´) •n.pl. the fringes or tassels worn by orthodox Jewish men, formerly on the corners of the outer garment, now on the four corners of the tallit: Deut. 22:12 [Yidd tsitses < Heb tsitsit, tassel (interpreted as pl. in Yidd) < tsits, blossom < root cc, to blossom, bloom]
Žižka (zhish´kä), Jan (yän) died 1424; Bohemian general & leader of the Hussites
Zlatoust (zlä'tэ u:st´) city in SW Asian Russia, in the Ural Mountains, near Chelyabinsk: pop. 204,000
złoty (zlö´ti:; Pol zwö´ti:) pl. -tys the basic monetary unit of Poland: see MONEY, table Abbrev. zl •n. [Pol, lit., golden]
Zn Chem. symbol for zinc
zo- (zou) combining form ZOO-: used before a vowel {zoanthropy, zooid}
zoa (zou´э) •n. pl. of ZOON
-zoa (zou´э) suffix Zool. forming the scientific name of a (specified) group [ModL < Gr zōia, pl. of zōion, an animal: see BIO-]
Zoan (zou´æn') Biblical name of TANIS
zoantharian (zou'æn θer´i: эn) •n. any of a subclass (Zoantharia) of anthozoan cnidarians having few or many tentacles and a solid exoskeleton or no skeleton, including the true corals and the sea anemones •adj. of the zoantharians [< ModL Zoantharia < ZO(O)- + Gr anthos, flower (see ANTHO-) + -AN]
zoanthropy (zou æn´θrэ pi:) •n. the belief that one is, or can become, a beast [ModL zoanthropia: see ZOO- & ANTHROPO- & -Y³]
zodiac (zou´di: æk') •n. 1 an imaginary belt in the heavens extending for about eight degrees on either side of the apparent path of the sun and including the paths of the moon and the principal planets: it is divided into twelve equal parts, or signs, each named for a different constellation 2 a figure or diagram representing the zodiac and its signs: used in astrology 3 [Rare] a circle or circuit zo·di´a·cal (-dai´э kэl) •adj. [ME zodiak < MFr zodiaque < L zodiacus, zodiac < Gr zōdiakos (kyklos), zodiac (circle), lit., circle of animals < zōidion, dim. of zōion, animal: see BIO-]
zodiacal light a faint illumination along the ecliptic, visible in the west just after sunset or in the east just before sunrise
Zoe (zou´i:) a feminine name [Gr Zōē, lit., life: see ZOEA]
zoea (zou i:´э) pl. zo·e´ae' (-i:´i:') •n.or zo·e´as an early, free-swimming larval stage of various decapod crustaceans, characterized by long, curved anterior and dorsal spines on the carapace zo·e´al •adj. [ModL < Gr zōē, life, akin to zōion (see BIO-) + -ea < L, fem. of -eus, -EOUS]
zoftig (zäf´tig') •adj. alt. sp. of ZAFTIG
Zohar (zou´här') a mystical commentary on the Pentateuch, written from the 2d to the 13th cent.: a principal source of the cabala [Heb zohar, lit., brightness < root zhr, to glow, gleam]
-zoic (zou´ik) suffix forming adjectives 1 having a (specified) animal way of life [< Gr zōikos, pertaining to animals < zōon, animal (see BIO-) + -ikos, -IC] 2 of, pertaining to, or being a geologic era having a (specified) type of life [< Gr zōē, life + -IC]
zoisite (zois´ait') •n. a vitreous orthorhombic mineral, a silicate of calcium and aluminum, Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH), in which the aluminum may be replaced by iron [Ger zoisit, after Baron Zois von Edelstein (1747-1819), its discoverer]
Zola (zou´lä', zou lä´; zou´lэ), É·mile (Édouard Charles Antoine) (ei mi:l´) 1840-1902; Fr. novelist
Zollverein (tsôl´feř ain') a customs union formed by the German states during the 19th cent. [Ger < zoll, custom, duty, TOLL¹ + verein, union, association]
Zomba (zäm´bэ) city in S Malawi: pop. 20,000
zombie (zäm´bi:) •n. 1 in voodoo cults of W Africa, the python deity 2 any voodoo snake deity, as in Haiti and parts of the S U.S. 3 a) in West Indian superstition, a supernatural power through which a corpse supposedly is brought to a state of trancelike animation and made to obey the commands of the person exercising the power b) a corpse so animated 4 [Slang] a) a person considered to be like a zombie in listlessness, mechanical behavior, etc. b) a weird, eccentric, or unattractive person 5 an iced drink made with fruit juices, various kinds of rum, and apricot brandy For 1, 2, & 3a usually, and for b sometimes, sp. zom´bi [of Afr orig., as in Congo zumbi, fetish]
zonal (zoun´эl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with a zone or zones 2 formed or divided in zones; zoned 3 designating a kind of soil having a permanent type of profile, determined largely by the influence of the prevailing climate and vegetation zon´al·ly •adv.
zonary (-э ri:) •adj. ZONAL (senses 1 & 2) [L zonarius]
zonate (-eit') •adj. marked with zones or bands; belted; striped Also zon´at'ed
zonation (zou nei´shэn) •n. 1 the state of being zonal or arranged in zones 2 arrangement in zones, or bands, as of color 3 the distribution of plants or animals in biogeographic zones
zone (zoun) •n. 1 an encircling band, stripe, course, etc. distinct in color, texture, structure, etc. from the surrounding medium 2 any of the five great latitudinal divisions of the earth's surface, named according to the prevailing climate; specif., the torrid zone, bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, two temperate (or variable) zones, bounded by the Tropics and the polar circles, and two frigid zones, lying between the polar circles and the poles 3 any area or region considered as separate or distinct from others because of its particular use, crops, plant or animal life, status in time of war, geological features, etc. {a canal zone, cotton zone, demilitarized zone} Æ 4 a) any section or district in a city restricted by law for a particular use, as for homes, parks, businesses, etc. b) any space along a street or road restricted in a specified way, esp. by traffic regulations {no parking zone} Æ 5 a) any of the numbered sections into which a postal area is divided, as in the ZIP Code system b) any of a series of ring-shaped areas concentric on a given point, each having a different parcel-post rate Æ 6 a district within which a uniform rate is charged, as by a transportation system 7 short for TIME ZONE 8 [Archaic] a belt or girdle 9 Math. a part of the surface of a sphere lying between two parallel planes that intersect the figure 10 Sports any of the areas into which a football field, basketball court, etc. is divided, as for defense •vt. zoned, zon´ing 1 to mark off or divide into zones; specif., Æ a) to divide (a city, etc.) into areas determined by specific restrictions on types of construction, as into residential and business areas Æ b) to limit to a certain use by designating as or placing in a ZONE (sense 4a) 2 to surround with or as with a belt or zone; encircle 3 to mark with bands or stripes [Fr < L zona < Gr zōnē, a belt < zōnnynai, to gird < IE *yosmen- < base *yos-, to gird > OSlav pojaśo, to gird]
zonk (zöŋk, zänk) •vt. [Slang] to strike, beat, hit, stun, etc. •vi. [Slang] to lose consciousness, fail to function, etc. •interj. an exclamation suggesting the sound of a sudden impact zonk out [Slang] 1 to lose consciousness or fall asleep from exhaustion, intoxication, etc. 2 to knock out, stun, etc. [echoic]
zonked (zöŋkt, zäŋkt) •adj. [Slang] Æ 1 highly intoxicated or under the influence of a drug 2 completely tired out or exhausted
zonule (zoun´yu:l') •n. a small zone, belt, band, girdle, etc. zon´u·lar (-yu: lэr, -yэ-) •adj. [L zonula, dim. of zona, a ZONE]
zoo (zu:) •n. 1 a place where wild animals are kept for public showing 2 a collection of wild animals 3 [Slang] a place, or the people in that place, variously regarded as lacking order, discipline, refinement, etc. [< ZOO(LOGICAL GARDEN)]
zoo- (zou´ou, zou´э; zu: ä´) combining form 1 animal, animals {zoology} 2 zoology and {zoogeography} [< Gr zōion, an animal: see BIO-]
zoochemistry (zou'ou kem´is tri:, zou'э-) •n. the chemistry of the solids and fluids in the animal body zo'o·chem´i·cal (-i kэl) •adj. [prec. + CHEMISTRY]
zooflagellate (-flæj´э lit, -leit') •n. any of a class (Zoomastigophora) of colorless, flagellated protozoans that ingest food [ZOO- + FLAGELLATE]
zoogamete (-gæm´i:t, -gэ mi:t´) •n. Biol. a motile gamete
zoogenic (-jen´ik) •adj. caused by or starting in animals, as a disease Also zo·og·e·nous (zou ä´jэ nэs) [ZOO- + -GENIC]
zoogeography (zou'ou ji: äg´rэ fi:, zou'э-) •n. the science dealing with the geographical distribution of animals; specif., the study of the relationship between specific animal forms and species and the regions in which they live zo'o·ge·og´ra·pher •n. zo'o·ge'o·graph´ic (-ji:'э græf´ik) or zo'o·ge'o·graph´i·cal •adj. zo'o·ge'o·graph´i·cal·ly •adv. [ZOO- + GEOGRAPHY]
zoogloea (-gli:´э) •n. a colony of bacteria forming a jellylike mass as the result of the swelling of the cell walls through the absorption of water zo'o·gloe´al or zo'o·gloe´ic •adj. [ModL < ZOO- + Gr gloios, glutinous substance, gum < IE base *glei- > CLAY]
zoography (zou äg´rэ fi:) •n. the branch of zoology concerned with the description of animals, their habits, etc. zo·o·graph·ic (zou'ou græf´ik, zou'э-) or zo'o·graph´i·cal •adj. [ZOO- + -GRAPHY]
zooid (zou´oid') •n. 1 a comparatively independent animal organism produced by other than sexual methods, as by fission, gemmation, etc. 2 any of the individual members of a colonial or compound animal: used esp. of hydroids, corals, or bryozoans zo·oi´dal •adj. [ZO(O)- + -OID]
zool 1 zoological 2 zoology
zoolatry (zou äl´э tri:) •n. worship of animals [ZOO- + -LATRY]
zoological (zou'э läj´i kэl, zou'ou-) •adj. 1 of or having to do with zoology 2 of, pertaining to, or concerned with animals Also zo'o·log´ic zo'o·log´i·cal·ly •adv.
zoological garden a place where a collection of wild animals is kept for public showing; zoo
zoologist (zou äl´э jist) •n. a student of or specialist in zoology
zoology (zou äl´э ji:; often zu:-) •n. 1 the science, a branch of biology, that deals with animals, their life, structure, growth, classification, etc. 2 the animal life of an area; fauna 3 the characteristics or properties of an animal or animal group [ModL zoologia: see ZOO- & -LOGY]
zoom (zu:m) •vi. 1 to make a loud, low-pitched, buzzing or humming sound 2 to move with a zooming sound 3 to climb in an airplane suddenly and sharply at an angle greater than normal, using the energy of momentum 4 to rise rapidly {prices zoomed} 5 to change the focal length of a zoom lens so as to change the apparent distance of the object being viewed •vt. to cause to zoom •n. 1 the act of zooming 2 a zooming sound 3 ZOOM LENS 4 Film a) the effect of a camera moving toward or away from a subject by using a zoom lens b) a shot using this effect •adj. equipped with or having to do with a zoom lens {a zoom telescope} [echoic]
zoom lens a system of lenses, as in a film or TV camera, that can be rapidly adjusted for close-up shots or distance views while keeping the image in focus
zoometry (zou äm´э tri:) •n. the measurement and comparison of the relative sizes of the different parts of animals zo·o·met·ric (zou'ou me´trik, zou'э-) •adj. [ZOO- + -METRY]
zoomorphic (zou'ou mör´fik, zou'э-) •adj. of or having animal form {a zoomorphic deity} [ZOO- + -MORPHIC]
zoomorphism (-fiz'эm) •n. 1 the attributing of animal forms or characteristics to deities 2 the representation of animal forms in decorative art or symbolism [ZOO- + -MORPH + -ISM]
zoon (zou´än') pl. zo´a (-э) rare var. of ZOOID (sense 2) •n. zo·on´al •adj. [ModL < Gr zōion, an animal: see BIO-]
-zoon (zou´än', zou´эn) combining form animal or living being [ModL: see ZOON]
zoonosis (zou än´э sis, zou'э nou´sis) pl. -on´o·ses' (-än´э si:z', -э nou´si:z') •n. a disease that can be transmitted to people by vertebrate animals zo'o·not´ic (-э nät´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr zōion, an animal (see BIO-) + nosos, disease]
zooparasite (zou'ou pær´э sait', zou'э-) •n. a parasitic animal zo'o·par'a·sit´ic (-sit´ik) •adj.
zoophagous (zou äf´э gэs) •adj. CARNIVOROUS [ZOO- + -PHAGOUS]
zoophilism (zou äf´э liz'эm) •n. extreme love for animals; specif., abnormal sexual attraction to animals Also zo·o·phil·i·a (zou'ou fil´i: э, zou'э-) or zo·oph´i·ly zo'o·phil´ic •adj. [ZOO- + PHIL- + -ISM]
zoophilous (-lэs) •adj. 1 having zoophilism 2 adapted to pollination by animals other than insects: said of plants [ZOO- + -PHILOUS]
zoophobia (zou'ou fou´bi: э, zou'э-) •n. an abnormal fear of animals [ZOO- + -PHOBIA]
zoophyte (zou´ou fait', zou´э-) •n. any animal, as a coral or sponge, having somewhat the appearance and character of a plant; esp., a bryozoan zo'o·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) or zo'o·phyt´i·cal •adj. [ModL zoophyton < Gr zōophyton: see ZOO- & -PHYTE]
zooplankton (zou'ou plæŋk´tэn, zou'э-) •n. plankton consisting of animals, as protozoans, copepods, or rotifers zo'o·plank·ton´ic (-tän´ik) •adj.
zoosporangium (-spэ ræn´ji: эm) pl. -gi·a (-ji: э) •n. Bot. a sporangium in certain fungi and algae, producing zoospores zo'o·spo·ran´gi·al (-эl) •adj. [ModL: see ZOO- & SPORANGIUM]
zoospore (zou´ou spör', zou´э-) •n. 1 Bot. an asexual sporangial spore, esp. of certain fungi or algae, capable of independent motion usually by means of cilia or flagella 2 Zool. a motile flagellate or amoeban reproductive cell arising from a sporocyst in certain protozoans zo'o·spor´ic (-spör´ik) or zo·os´po·rous (-äs´pэ rэs) •adj. [ZOO- + SPORE]
zoosterol (zou äs´tэ röl', -roul') •n. any of several steroid alcohols, as cholesterol, found in animals [ZOO- + STEROL]
zoot suit (zu:t) a man's suit of a former, exaggerated style, with high-waisted, baggy trousers narrowing at the cuffs and a long, draped coat [redupl.]
zootomy (zou ät´э mi:) •n. the anatomy or dissection of animals other than humans zo'o·tom´ic (-э täm´ik) or zo'o·tom´i·cal •adj. zo·ot´o·mist •n. [ModL zootomia: see ZOO- & -TOMY]
zori (zör´i:) pl. zo´ris •n.or zo´ri a sandal of a Japanese style, consisting of a flat sole held on the foot by means of a thong anchored in front between the big toe and the toe next to it and passing over the foot [SinoJpn zōri (earlier sōri) < zō (or sō), grass + ri, (foot)wear]
zorille or zoril (zör´il, zär´-) •n. a small, striped, black and white, musteline carnivore (Ictonyx striatus) of the drier parts of Africa: it looks and smells like the skunk [Fr zorille < Sp zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, fox]
Zoroaster (zou'rou æs´tэr, zör´ou æs'-) c. 6th or 7th cent. B.C.; Pers. religious teacher: founder of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrian (zou'rou æs´tri: эn, zör'ou-) •adj. of or having to do with Zoroaster or Zoroastrianism •n. an adherent of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism (-iz'эm) •n. the religious system of the Persians before their conversion to Islam: it was founded by Zoroaster, and its principles, contained in the Avesta, include belief in an afterlife and in the continuous struggle of the universal spirit of good (Ormazd) with the spirit of evil (Ahriman), the good ultimately to prevail
Zorrilla (y Moral) (θô ři:´lyä), Jo·sé (hô se´) 1817-93; Sp. poet & playwright
zoster (zäs´tэr) •n. short for HERPES ZOSTER [L < Gr, a belt, girdle, akin to zōnē: see ZONE]
Zouave (zu: äv´, zwäv) •n. 1 a member of a former infantry unit in the French army, originally Algerians, noted for the precision of its close-order drill and characterized by a colorful Oriental uniform 2 a member of any military group having a similar uniform; specif., a member of any of various volunteer regiments in the American Civil War [Fr < Ar Zwāwa < Berber Igawawaen, name of a Kabyle tribe of the Jurjura Mountains, Algeria, from whom the Zouaves were originally recruited]
Zoug (zu:g) Fr. name of ZUG
zounds (zaundz) •interj. [Archaic] a mild oath used as an exclamation of surprise or anger [altered < the oath (by) God's wounds]
zowie (zau´i:) •interj. an exclamation expressing excitement, enthusiasm, admiration, etc.
zoysia (zou is´i: э, zoi´si: э) •n. Æ any of a genus (Zoysia) of creeping, wiry grasses, often used for lawns, esp. in warm, dry regions [ModL, altered after Zoisia, so named after Karl von Zois, 18th-c. Ger botanist]
ZPG zero population growth
Zr Chem. symbol for zirconium
zucchetto (zu: ket´ou, -э; It tsu: ket´tô) pl. -tos or It -ti (-ti:) •n. a skullcap worn by Roman Catholic prelates: an abbot's is black, a bishop's purple, a cardinal's red, and the Pope's white [altered < It zucchetta, a cap, orig., dim. of zucca, gourd < LL cucutia]
zucchini (zu: ki:´ni:) pl. -ni •n.or -nis a summer squash of a variety that is green-skinned and shaped somewhat like a cucumber [It, pl. of zucchino, dim. of zucca, gourd: see ZUCCHETTO]
Zug (tsu:k) 1 canton of NC Switzerland, on the Lake of Zug: 92 sq. mi. (239 sq. km); pop. 76,000 2 its capital, on the Lake of Zug: pop. 22,000 3 Lake of lake in NC Switzerland, in the cantons of Zug & Schwyz: 15 sq. mi. (38 sq. km)
Zuider Zee (zai´dэr zi:´; Du zöi´dэř zei´) former arm of the North Sea, which extended into the Netherlands: its S section was shut off from the North Sea by dikes: see IJSSELMEER & WADDENZEE
Zuid-Holland (zoit'hôl´änt') Du. name of SOUTH HOLLAND
Zuloaga (θu:'lô ä´gä), Ig·na·cio (i:g nä´θyô) 1870-1945; Sp. painter
Zulu (zu:´lu:) •n. 1 pl. -lus or -lu a member of a people living mainly in Natal, South Africa 2 the Bantu language of this people, closely related to Xhosa •adj. designating or of the Zulus or their language or culture
Zululand (zu:´lu: lænd') region, formerly a Zulu kingdom, in NE Natal province, South Africa, on the Indian Ocean: 10,375 sq. mi. (26,871 sq. km)
Zuni (zu:´ni:) •n. 1 pl. -nis or -ni a member of a North American Indian people of W New Mexico 2 the language of this people, of unknown relationship Also, formerly, Zu·ñi (zu:n´yi:) [AmSp < AmInd]
zuppa inglese (zu:p´э in glei´zei, -iŋ-; tsu:´pэ-) an Italian dessert of spongecake layers soaked as with rum, filled with custard, and covered with whipped cream and fruit
Zurbarán (θu:ř'bä řän´), Fran·cis·co de (fřän θi:s´kô ðe) 1598-1664; Sp. painter
Zurich (zur´ik) 1 canton of N Switzerland: 668 sq. mi. (1,729 sq. km); pop. 1,123,000 2 its capital, on the Lake of Zurich: pop. 440,000: also written Zürich 3 Lake of lake in N Switzerland, mostly in Zurich canton: 34 sq. mi. (88 sq. km)
Zweig (tsvaik; zwaig) 1 Ar·nold (äř´nôlt) 1887-1968; Ger. novelist & playwright 2 Ste·fan (shte´fän') 1881-1942; Austrian biographer, novelist, & playwright
Zwickau (tsvik´au') city in E Germany, in the state of Saxony: pop. 120,000
zwieback (tsvi:´bäk', swi:´-; swai´bæk', zwai´-) •n. a kind of rusk or biscuit that is sliced and toasted after baking [Ger < zwie-, two, twice, var. of zwei, TWO + backen, to BAKE, calque of It biscotto, BISCUIT]
Zwingli (zwiŋ´li:, tsviŋ´-), Ul·rich (ul´řiH') 1484-1531; Swiss Protestant reformer: also Hul·dreich Zwingli (hul´draiH')
Zwinglian (zwiŋ´li: эn) •adj. of Zwingli or his doctrines, esp. the doctrine that the body of Christ is not actually present in the Eucharist and that the ceremony is merely a commemorative one •n. a follower of Zwingli Zwing´li·an·ism' •n.
zwitterion (zwit´эr ai'эn, -ai'än') •n. an ion carrying both a positive and a negative charge in different parts of the molecule, as in certain amino acids and protein molecules zwit'ter·i·on´ic (-ai än´ik) •adj. [Ger < zwitter, hybrid (< OHG zwitarn < zwi-, double, akin to OE twi-: for IE base see TWO) + ion, ION]
Zwolle (zvôl´э) city in the NE Netherlands: pop. 88,000
Zworykin (zwör´i kin), Vladimir Kos·ma (käz´mэ) 1889-1982; U.S. engineer & inventor, born in Russia: pioneer in the development of modern TV
zydeco (zai´dэ kou) •n. a heavily syncopated dance music that originated among the blacks of S Louisiana, containing elements of blues, traditional white Cajun music, etc. and played usually by a band that includes accordion, guitar, and washboard [? < Creole Fr pronun. of Fr les haricots, the beans (phrase in the title of a popular dance tune)]
zygapophysis (zig'э päf´э sis, zai'gэ-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. any of the processes of the neural arch of a vertebra by which it articulates with an adjacent vertebra zyg'ap'o·phys´e·al (-æp'э fiz´i: эl) •adj. [ModL < Gr zygon, YOKE + APOPHYSIS]
zygo- (zai´gou, -gэ; zig´э) combining form yoke or yoked; pair or paired {zygodactyl} Also, before a vowel, zyg- [< Gr zygon, YOKE]
zygodactyl (zai'gou dæk´tэl, -gэ-; zig'ou-, zig'э-) •adj. having the toes arranged in two opposed pairs, two in front and two in the rear: also zy'go·dac´tyl·ous •n. a zygodactyl bird, as the parrot zy'go·dac´tyl·ism' •n. [prec. + DACTYL]
zygogenesis (-jen´э sis) •n. Biol. reproduction in which male and female gametes and nuclei fuse zy'go·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) •adj. [ZYGO- + GENESIS]
zygoid (zai´goid') •adj. of or pertaining to a zygote; zygotic
zygoma (zai gou´mэ, zi-) pl. -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n.or -mas Anat. 1 ZYGOMATIC ARCH 2 ZYGOMATIC BONE 3 ZYGOMATIC PROCESS zy·go·mat·ic (zai'gou mæt´ik, -gэ-; zig'ou-, zig'э-) •adj. [ModL < Gr zygōma < zygoun, to yoke < zygon, YOKE]
zygomatic arch Anat. a bony arch on either side of the face just below the eye in many vertebrates, consisting of a zygomatic bone having a process that fuses with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone
zygomatic bone Anat. a bone of the zygomatic arch on either side of the face, forming the prominence of each cheek; cheekbone: see SKULL, illus.
zygomatic process Anat. any of several bony processes that form part of the zygomatic arch
zygomorphic (zai'gou mör´fik, -gэ-; zig'ou-, zig'э-) Biol. bilaterally symmetrical; that can be divided in two identical halves by a single plane passing through the axis: said of organisms, organs, or parts Also zy'go·mor´phous •adj. zy'go·mor´phism or zy´go·mor'phy •n. [ZYGO- + -MORPHIC]
zygospore (zai´gou spör', -gэ-; zig´ou-, zig´э-) •n. Bot. a thick-walled, resting spore formed by conjugation of two isogametes, as in certain primitive fungi and certain green algae zy'go·spor´ic (-spör´ik) •adj. [ZYGO- + SPORE]
zygote (zai´gout', zig´out') •n. a cell formed by the union of male and female gametes; fertilized egg cell before cleavage zy·got·ic (zai gät´ik, zi-) •adj. zy·got´i·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr zygōtos, yoked < zygon, YOKE]
zygotene (zai´gou ti:n', -gэ-; zig´ou-, zig´э-) •n. the synaptic stage of the first prophase in meiosis, during which longitudinal pairing of homologous chromosomes occurs [Fr zygotène < Gr zygon, YOKE + tainia, ribbon, tape: see TAENIA]
zymase (zai´meis') •n. an enzyme, present in yeast, that promotes fermentation by breaking down glucose and some other carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon dioxide [Fr: see ZYME + -ASE]
zyme (zaim) •n. 1 a ferment or enzyme 2 the specific cause of a zymotic disease [Gr zymē, a leaven < ? IE base *yeu-, to mix (foods) > JUICE, Sans yus, broth]
zymo- (zai´mou, -mэ) combining form 1 fermentation {zymology} 2 enzyme {zymogenesis} Also, before a vowel, zym- [< Gr zymē: see ZYME]
zymogen (zai´mou jэn, -mэ-; -jen') •n. Biochem. an inactive antecedent form of an active enzyme that becomes functional by the action of an appropriate kinase or other activator [Fr zymogène: see ZYMO- & -GEN]
zymogenesis (zai'mou jen´э sis, -mэ-) •n. the process by which a zymogen becomes an enzyme [ModL: see ZYMO- & -GENESIS]
zymogenic (-jen´ik) •adj. Biochem. 1 of, having to do with, or producing a zymogen 2 causing fermentation Also zy·mog·e·nous (zai mä´jэ nэs)