Select a letter for some words
Zalambdodont
Of or pertaining to a tribe () of Insectivora in which the molar teeth have but one V-shaped ridge.
Zambo
The child of a mulatto and a negro; also, the child of an Indian and a negro; colloquially or humorously, a negro; a sambo.
Zamia
A genus of cycadaceous plants, having the appearance of low palms, but with exogenous wood. See , and of .
Zampogna
A sort of bagpipe formerly in use among Italian peasants. It is now almost obsolete.
Zapas
See , above.
Zaphrentis
An extinct genus of cyathophylloid corals common in the Paleozoic formations. It is cup-shaped with numerous septa, and with a deep pit in one side of the cup.
Zaptiah
A Turkish policeman.
Zati
A species of macaque () native of India and Ceylon. It has a crown of long erect hair, and tuft of radiating hairs on the back of the head. Called also .
Zea
A genus of large grasses of which the Indian corn () is the only species known. Its origin is not yet ascertained. See .
Zealful
Full of zeal.
Zealotism
The character or conduct of a zealot; zealotry.
Zebrinny
A cross between a male horse and a female zebra.
Zed
The letter ; -- called also , and formerly .
Zein
A nitrogenous substance of the nature of gluten, obtained from the seeds of Indian corn () as a soft, yellowish, amorphous substance.
Zeitgeist
The spirit of the time; the general intellectual and moral state or temper characteristic of any period of time.
Zemni
The blind mole rat (), native of Eastern Europe and Asia. Its eyes and ears are rudimentary, and its fur is soft and brownish, more or less tinged with gray. It constructs extensive burrows.
Zemstvo
In Russia, an elective local district and provincial administrative assembly. Originally it was composed of representatives elected by the peasantry, the householders of the towns, and the landed proprietors. In the reign of Alexander III. the power of the noble landowners was increased, the peasants allowed only to elect candidates from whom the governor of the province nominated the deputy, and all acts of the zemstvo subjected to the approval of the governor. Theoretically the zemstvo has large powers relating to taxation, education, public health, etc., but practically these powers are in most cases limited to the adjustment of the state taxation.
Zend-Avesta
The sacred writings of the ancient Persian religion, attributed to Zoroaster, but chiefly of a later date.
Zendik
An atheist or unbeliever; -- name given in the East to those charged with disbelief of any revealed religion, or accused of magical heresies.
Zenik
See .
Zenithal
Of or pertaining to the zenith.
Zeolitic
Of or pertaining to a zeolite; consisting of, or resembling, a zeolite.
Zephyr
The west wind; poetically, any soft, gentle breeze.
Zequin
See .
Zerda
The fennec.
Zetetic
A seeker; -- a name adopted by some of the Pyrrhonists.
Zeuglodon
A genus of extinct Eocene whales, remains of which have been found in the Gulf States. The species had very long and slender bodies and broad serrated teeth. See .
Zeugmatic
Of or pertaining to zeugma; characterized by zeugma.
Zeus
The chief deity of the Greeks, and ruler of the upper world (cf. ). He was identified with .
Zietrisikite
A mineral wax, vert similar to ozocerite. It is found at , Moldavia, whence its name.
Zigzag
Having short, sharp turns; running this way and that in an onward course.
Zigzaggery
The quality or state of being zigzag; crookedness.
Zikkurat
A temple tower of the Babylonians or Assyrians, consisting of a lofty pyramidal structure, built in successive stages, with outside staircases, and a shrine at the top; -- called also .
Zillah
A district or local division, as of a province.
Zinc
An abundant element of the magnesium-cadmium group, extracted principally from the minerals zinc blende, smithsonite, calamine, and franklinite, as an easily fusible bluish white metal, which is malleable, especially when heated. It is not easily oxidized in moist air, and hence is used for sheeting, coating galvanized iron, etc. It is used in making brass, britannia, and other alloys, and is also largely consumed in electric batteries. Symbol Zn. Atomic number 30. Atomic weight 65.38.
Zincane
Zinc chloride.
Zincic
Pertaining to, containing, or resembling, zinc; zincous.
Zincode
The positive electrode of an electrolytic cell; anode.
Zinco-polar
Electrically polarized like the surface of the zinc presented to the acid in a battery, which has zincous affinity.
Zingaro
A gypsy.
Zinky
See .
Zinnwaldite
A kind of mica containing lithium, often associated with tin ore.
Zip
A hissing or sibilant sound such as that made by a flying bullet.
zip + 4
a full nine-digit . See .
Zirconium
A rare element of the carbon-silicon group, intermediate between the metals and nonmetals, obtained from the mineral zircon as a dark sooty powder, or as a gray metallic crystalline substance. Symbol Zr. Atomic weight, 90.4.
Zircon light
A light, similar to the calcium light, produced by incandescent zirconia.
Zircono
See .
Zittern
See .
Zizith
The tassels of twisted cords or threads on the corners of the upper garment worn by strict Jews. The Hebrew for this word is translated in both the Authorized and Revised Versions () by the word fringes.
Zoantharian
Of or pertaining to the Zoantharia.
Zoanthodeme
The zooids of a compound anthozoan, collectively.
Zoanthoid
Of or pertaining to the Zoanthacea.
Zoanthropy
A kind of monomania in which the patient believes himself transformed into one of the lower animals.
Zocle
Same as .
Zodiacal
Of or pertaining to the zodiac; situated within the zodiac; .
Zoetrope
An optical toy, in which figures made to revolve on the inside of a cylinder, and viewed through slits in its circumference, appear like a single figure passing through a series of natural motions as if animated or mechanically moved.
Zohar
A Jewish cabalistic book attributed by tradition to Rabbi Simon ben Yochi, who lived about the end of the 1st century, Modern critics believe it to be a compilation of the 13th century.
Zoilean
Having the characteristic of , a bitter, envious, unjust critic, who lived about 270 years before Christ.
Zoism
Reverence for animal life or belief in animal powers and influences, as among savages.
Zolaism
The literary theories and practices of the French novelist (1840-1902); naturalism, esp. in a derogatory sense.
Zonar
A belt or girdle which the Christians and Jews of the Levant were obliged to wear to distinguish them from Mohammedans.
Zonate
Divided by parallel planes; .
Zo-
A combining form from Gr. an , as in genic, logy, etc.
Zochemistry
Animal chemistry; particularly, the description of the chemical compounds entering into the composition of the animal body, in distinction from .
Zochemy
Animal chemistry; zochemistry.
Zocyst
A cyst formed by certain Protozoa and unicellular plants which the contents divide into a large number of granules, each of which becomes a germ.
Zocium
One of the cells or tubes which inclose the feeling zooids of Bryozoa. See of .
Zogenic
Of or pertaining to zogeny, animal production.
Zographist
A zographer.
Zooid
Pertaining to, or resembling, an animal.
Zooidal
Of or pertaining to a zooid; .
Zolatry
The worship of animals.
Zologer
A zologist.
Zological
Of or pertaining to zology, or the science of animals.
Zomorphism
The transformation of men into beasts.
Zonic
Of or pertaining to animals; obtained from animal substances.
Zonite
One of the segments of the body of an articulate animal.
Zonomy
The laws of animal life, or the science which treats of the phenomena of animal life, their causes and relations.
Zopathology
Animal pathology.
Zophilist
A lover of animals.
Zophoric
Bearing or supporting the figure of an animal; .
Zophorous
The part between the architrave and cornice; the frieze; -- so called from the figures of animals carved upon it.
Zophytoid
Pertaining to, or resembling, a zophyte.
Zopsychology
Animal psychology.
Zosporangium
A spore, or conceptacle containing zospores.
Zoozoo
The wood pigeon.
Zoril
Same as .
Zoroastrian
Of or pertaining to , or his religious system.
Zosterops
A genus of birds that comprises the white-eyes. See .
Zounds
An exclamation formerly used as an oath, and an expression of anger or wonder.
Zufolo
A little flute or flageolet, especially that which is used to teach birds.
Zulu-Kaffir
A member of the Bantu race comprising the Zulus and the Kaffirs.
Zuntilde;is
A tribe of Pueblo Indians occupying a village in New Mexico, on the River.
Zwieback
A kind of biscuit or rusk first baked in a loaf and afterwards cut and toasted.
Zygantrum
See under .
Zygenid
Any one of numerous species of moths of the family , most of which are bright colored. The wood nymph and the vine forester are examples. Also used adjectively.
Zygodactyl
The zygodactylous birds. In a restricted sense applied to a division of birds which includes the barbets, toucans, honey guides, and other related birds.
Zygodactyli
Same as .
Zygosis
The process of the merging of two gametes. Same as .
Zylonite
Celluloid.
Zymic
Pertaining to, or produced by, fermentation; -- formerly, by confusion, used to designate lactic acid.
Zymogen
A mother substance, or antecedent, of an enzyme or chemical ferment; -- applied to such substances as, not being themselves actual ferments, may by internal changes give rise to a ferment.
Zymogenic
Pertaining to, or formed by, a zymogene.
Zymology
A treatise on the fermentation of liquors, or the doctrine of fermentation.
Zymosis
A fermentation; hence, an analogous process by which an infectious disease is believed to be developed.
Zythum
A kind of ancient malt beverage; a liquor made from malt and wheat.