Is found in the Saxon alphabets, set down by Grammarians, but is read in no word originally Teutonick: its sound is uniformly that of an hard S. No word of English original begins with Z.245
ZA’NY. n.s. [Probably of zanci. The contraction of Giovanni or sanna, a scoff, according to Skinner.] One employed to raise laughter by his gestures, actions and speeches; a merry Andrew; a buffoon.
Some carrytale, some pleaseman, some slight zany,
Some mumblenews, some trencher knight, some Dick,
Told our intents before. SHAKESPEARE.
Then write that I may follow, and so be
Thy echo, thy debtor, thy foil, thy zany,
I shall be thought, if mine like thine I shape,
All the world’s lion, though I be thy ape.
DONNE.
Oh, great restorer of the good old stage,
Preacher at once, and zany of thy age.
POPE’S DUNCIAD.
ZE’CHIN. n.s. [So named from zecha, a place in Venice where the mint is settled for coinage.] A gold coin worth about nine shillings sterling.
ZEST. n.s.
1. The peel of an orange squeezed into wine.
2. A relish; a taste added.
ZOO’GRAPHER. n.s. [ςωή and γαφω.] One who describes the nature, properties, and forms of animals.
One kind of locust stands not prone, or a little inclining upward; but a large erectness, elevating the two fore legs, and sustaining itself in the middle of the other four, by zoographers called the prophet and praying locust. BROWN’S VULGAR ERROURS.
ZOO’GRAPHY. n.s. [ςωή and γϱάφω.] A description of the forms, natures, and properties of animals.
If we contemplate the end of the effect, its principal final cause being the glory of its maker, this leads us into divinity; and for its subordinate, as it is designed for alimental sustenance to living creatures, and medicinal uses to man, we are thereby conducted into zoography. GLANVILLE SCEPSIS SCIENTIFICA.
ZOO’LOGY. n.s. [ςωoν and λoγoς.] A treatise concerning living creatures.
ZOO’TOMIST. n.s. [ζωoτoμíα.] A dissector of the bodies of brute beasts.
ZOO’TOMY. n.s. [ζωoτoμíα, of ζωoν and τε[μνω.] Dissection of the bodies of beasts.