zib·e·line ['zi-bə-,lēn, -,līn] -n

  1. a soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair, alpaca, or camel's hair

zi·do·vu·dine [zi-'dō-vyü-,dēn] -n

  1. AZT

ZIFT -abbr

  1. zygote intrafallopian transfer

zig ['zig] -n

  1. one of the sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a zigzag course
  2. one of the short straight lines or sections of a zigzag course at an angle to a zag
  3. a sharp alteration or change of direction (as in a process or policy)
    • the quick zig s and zags of his international maneuverings -- N.Y. Times
  4. to execute a zig usu. contrasted with zag
    • zig s when others zag

zig·gu·rat ['zi-gə-,rat] -n

  1. an ancient Mesopotamian temple tower consisting of a lofty pyramidal structure built in successive stages with outside staircases and a shrine at the top
  2. a structure or object of similar form

zig·zag ['zig-,zag] -n, adj

  1. one of a series of short sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a course
  2. something having the form or character of such a series
    • a blouse with green zigzag s
    • endured the zigzag s of policy -- Richard Bernstein

zigzag -adv

  1. in or by a zigzag path or course
  2. having short sharp turns or angles
    • a zigzag trail
  3. to form into a zigzag or move along a zigzag course
  4. to lie in, proceed along, or consist of a zigzag course

zilch ['zilch] -adj or n

  1. zero, nothing

zil·lion ['zil-yən] -n, adj

  1. an indeterminately large number
    • zillion s of mosquitoes

zil·lion·aire [,zil-yə-'ner] -n

  1. an immeasurably wealthy person

zin ['zin] -n

  1. zinfandel

zinc ['ziŋk] -n

  1. a bluish-white metallic element that is ductile when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, and is used esp. in alloys and as a protective coating in galvanizing iron and steel
  2. to treat or coat with zinc : galvanize

zinc blende -n

  1. sphalerite

zinc chloride -n

  1. a poisonous caustic deliquescent salt ZnCl 2used esp. as a wood preservative, drying agent, and catalyst

zinc oxide -n

  1. an infusible white solid ZnO used esp. as a pigment, in compounding rubber, and in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations (as ointments and sunblocks)

zinc sulfate -n

  1. a crystalline salt ZnSO 4used esp. in making a white paint pigment, in printing and dyeing, in sprays and fertilizers, and in medicine as an astringent, emetic, and weak antiseptic

zinc sulfide -n

  1. a fluorescent white to yellowish compound ZnS used esp. as a white pigment and a phosphor

zinc white -n

  1. a white pigment that consists of zinc oxide

zine ['zēn] -n

  1. magazine
  2. a noncommercial often homemade or online publication usu. devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject matter
    • a punk zine
    • a feminist zine

zin·eb ['zi-,neb] -n

  1. an agricultural fungicide C 4H 6N 2S 4Zn used esp. formerly on fruits and vegetables

zin·fan·del ['zin-fən-,del] -n

  1. a dry red table wine made from a small black grape that is grown chiefly in California
  2. the grape

zing ['ziŋ] -n

  1. a shrill humming noise
  2. an enjoyably exciting or stimulating quality : zest
    • really put some zing into this industry -- Erwin Fine
  3. a sharply piquant flavor
    • barbecue sauce with zing
  4. to make or move with a humming sound
  5. zip, speed
  6. to hit suddenly : zap
  7. to criticize in a pointed or witty manner

zing·er ['ziŋ-ər] -n

  1. something causing or meant to cause interest, surprise, or shock
  2. a pointed witty remark or retort

zingy ['ziŋ-ē] -adj

  1. enjoyably exciting
    • a zingy musical
  2. strikingly attractive or appealing
    • wore a zingy new outfit
  3. sharply piquant
    • a zingy salad

zin·nia ['zi-nē-ə, 'zē-; 'zin-yə, 'zēn-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Zinnia) of tropical American composite herbs and low shrubs that have showy flower heads with long-lasting ray flowers

Zi·on ['zī-ən] -n

  1. the Jewish people : israel
  2. the Jewish homeland that is symbolic of Judaism or of Jewish national aspiration
  3. the ideal nation or society envisaged by Judaism
  4. heaven
  5. utopia

Zi·on·ism ['zī-ə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj or n, adj

  1. an international movement orig. for the establishment of a Jewish national or religious community in Palestine and later for the support of modern Israel

zip ['zip] -vb

  1. to move, act, or function with speed and vigor
  2. to travel with a sharp hissing or humming sound
  3. to impart speed or force to
  4. to add zest, interest, or life to often used with up
  5. to transport or propel with speed
  6. a sudden sharp hissing or sibilant sound
  7. energy, vim
  8. nothing, zero
    • the final score was 27 to zip
  9. zipper
  10. to close or open with or as if with a zipper
  11. to enclose or wrap by fastening a zipper
  12. to cause (a zipper) to open or shut
  13. to become open, closed, or attached by means of a zipper
  14. zip code

zipcode -vt

  1. to furnish with a zip code

zip code -n

  1. a number that identifies each postal delivery area in the U.S.
  2. the geographic area identified by a zip code

zip fastener -n

  1. zipper

zip gun -n

  1. a crude homemade single-shot pistol

zip line -n, vi

  1. a cable suspended above an incline to which a pulley and harness are attached for a rider

zip·lock ['zip-,läk] -adj

  1. having an interlocking groove and ridge that form a tight seal when pressed together
    • a ziplock plastic bag

zip·per ['zi-pər] -n

  1. a fastener consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the teeth together

zipper -vt

  1. zip

zip·pered [-pərd] -adj

  1. equipped with a zipper

zip·py ['zi-pē] -adj

  1. : full of zip: as
  2. very quick or speedy
    • a zippy sports car
  3. strikingly fresh, lively, or appealing in style
    • zippy clothes

zi·ram ['zī-,ram] -n

  1. an organic zinc salt C 6H 12N 2S 4Zn used esp. as an agricultural fungicide

zir·con ['zər-,kän, -kən] -n

  1. a tetragonal mineral consisting of a silicate of zirconium and occurring usu. in brown or grayish square prisms of adamantine luster or sometimes in transparent forms which are used as gems

zir·co·nia [,zər-'kō-nē-ə] -n

  1. a white crystalline compound ZrO 2used esp. in refractories, in thermal and electric insulation, in abrasives, and in enamels and glazes called also zirconium oxide

zir·co·ni·um [,zər-'kō-nē-əm] -n

  1. a steel-gray hard ductile metallic element with a high melting point that occurs widely in combined form (as in zircon), is highly resistant to corrosion, and is used esp. in alloys and in refractories and ceramics

zit ['zit] -n

  1. pimple

zith·er ['zi-thər, -thər] -n

  1. a stringed instrument having usu. 30 to 40 strings over a shallow horizontal soundboard and played with pick and fingers

zi·ti ['zē-tē] -n

  1. medium-sized tubular pasta

zizith ['tsit-səs, tsēt-'sēt] -n pl

(variant of tzitzit)

  1. the fringes or tassels worn on traditional or ceremonial garments by Jewish males as reminders of the commandments of Deut 22:12 and Num 15:3741