zephyrineadjective & noun
Factsheet
What does the word zephyrine mean?
There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the word zephyrine. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
zephyrine has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
How common is the word zephyrine?
| 1820 | 0.0006 |
| 1830 | 0.0005 |
| 1840 | 0.0005 |
| 1850 | 0.0005 |
| 1860 | 0.0002 |
| 1870 | 0.0002 |
| 1880 | 0.0001 |
| 1890 | 0.0002 |
| 1900 | 0.0001 |
| 1910 | 0.00003 |
| 1920 | 0.00005 |
| 1930 | 0.00006 |
| 1940 | 0.00007 |
| 1950 | 0.00007 |
| 1960 | 0.00008 |
| 1970 | 0.00009 |
| 1980 | 0.00009 |
| 1990 | 0.00009 |
| 2000 | 0.0001 |
| 2010 | 0.00009 |
How is the word zephyrine pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the word zephyrine come from?
Earliest known use
1810s
The earliest known use of the word zephyrine is in the 1810s.
OED's earliest evidence for zephyrine is from 1819, in Morning Chronicle.
zephyrine is apparently formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zephyr n., ‑ine suffix1.
Nearby entries
- Zéphirine Drouhin, n.1901–
- zephyr, n.Old English–
- zephyr, v.1829–
- zephyranth, n.1845–
- zephyranthes, n.1821–
- zephyrean, adj.1793–
- zephyret, n.1777–1881
- zephyr flower, n.?1829–
- zephyr-gale, n.1596–1901
- zephyrian, adj.1661–
- zephyrine, adj. & n.1819–
- zephyring, adj.1821–
- zephyrless, adj.a1821–
- zephyr-like, adv. & adj.1765–
- zephyr lily, n.?1877–
- zephyrous, adj.a1750–
- zephyry, adj.1791–
- Zepp, n.1914–
- Zepp, v.1914–
- Zeppelin, n.1896–
- zeppelin, v.1910–
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- adjective
- 1819–Of a garment: made of zephyrine (sense B).
- 1819
The much admired Zephyrine Turbans.
Morning Chronicle 4 March 1/3 (advertisement) - 1833
Hon. Miss Kenyon.—White satin, covered with a white zephyrine dress, embroidered with violet and gold.
Ladies' Penny Gazette 2 March 148/1 - 1873
A span new tea-colored zephyrine polonaise.
A. D. Whitney, Other Girls iii. 19 - 1905
An attractive line in zephyrine suitings is offered by Ostrander & Co.
Textile World Rec. January 73/1 - 2011
She had donned her favorite olive-green zephyrine pelisse with gold rosettes adorning her hips.
A. Hawkins, After Dark with Scoundrel viii. 76
the world textiles and clothing textiles textile fabric or an article of textile fabric textile fabric textile fabric made from specific material made from silk [adjectives] other- pelong1687–Made of pelong.
- blonde1745–Designating silk of a natural, undyed, or unbleached colour. Now chiefly historical.
- zephyrine1819–Of a garment: made of zephyrine (sense B).
- pongee1830–Made of this fabric.
- chiné1841–Designating a fabric, esp. of silk, whose pattern is created by the warp threads being dyed, printed, or painted before weaving, resulting in a…
- shot-silk1850–Used attributively or adj.= made of or resembling shot silk.
- crystalline1860–Designating a type of light silk fabric; made of this fabric.
- Henan1880–attributive. Designating a type of plain-weave pongee silk originally manufactured in Henan.
- frisé1884–(See quot. 1884.)
- Spitalfields1894–Used attributively (sometimes in the form Spitalfield): (a) in Spitalfield(s) breakfast, Spitalfield(s) weaver (see quots.); (b) applied to silk…
- Jap1900–colloquial. offensive (usually derogatory or disparaging). Of a garment or other item: made from habutai silk. Cf. Jap silk, n. Now rare.
- météor1909–As postmodifier. Designating a silk crêpe fabric backed with satin. Chiefly in crêpe météor.
- noun
- 1820–A thin, light dress fabric, typically made of silk; a garment made of this.
- 1820
The new silk called zephyrine is also a good deal used in trimmings; its light and soft texture renders it very well adapted for that purpose.
Repository of Arts July 53/2 - 1873
Her zephyrine, with its silky shine.
A. D. Whitney, Other Girls iii. 20 - 1889
Chambray, lawn, batiste, seersucker, zephyrine and all kinds of wash goods may be satisfactorily made up by this pattern.
Delineator June 420/1 - 1994
Serena's own dress of pale blue zephyrine..suddenly seemed very tame.
S. Andrew, Serena vii. 113
the world textiles and clothing textiles textile fabric or an article of textile fabric textile fabric textile fabric with specific qualities [nouns] thin, light, or delicate- valencec1381–1430Some thin woven fabric.
- Paris crisp1400A thin or delicate textile fabric; a head-covering or veil made of this fabric.
- rill1440A kind of thin cloth, perhaps one used for shaving.
- tuke1477–1582Canvas, such as is used for an awning or canopy; but also applied to a finer fabric.
- utter-fine1529–64utter-fine. elliptical. A superfine make or quality of cloth. Scottish. (Frequently 1537–50.)
- Worcester1551–Used attributively to designate articles originating in Worcester, e.g. (formerly) a fine cloth, (now chiefly) a kind of China ware; also elliptical…
- cypress1577–1722A name of several textile fabrics originally imported from or through Cyprus. esp. (= cypress lawn) A light transparent material resembling cobweb…
- borato1578–A thin fabric: cf. bolt, v.¹, also bolter, n.¹ 2b, bolting, n.³
- burat1588–The same as borato, n.
- quintain1674–A fine sheer material similar to lawn, originally made in Quintin in Brittany and frequently used as a ground for embroidery; (also) a piece or…
- tissue1732–Applied to various rich or fine fabrics of delicate or gauzy texture.
- zephyrine1820–A thin, light dress fabric, typically made of silk; a garment made of this.
- summer weight1873–A light weight of fabric, suitable for summer clothing; (also) a cloth of such a weight; a garment made from such cloth.
- Palm Beach1913–A proprietary name for: fabric or clothing of this kind.
- sheer1934–absol. as n.
- delicates1957–In plural. Delicate fabrics or garments, esp. items of underwear or lingerie.
the world textiles and clothing clothing types or styles of clothing [nouns] made from specific material other article of- linsey-woolsey1483–Originally a textile material, woven from a mixture of wool and flax; now, a dress material of coarse inferior wool, woven upon a cotton warp. Also p…
- kelter1562–80A garment made of this cloth.
- buffin1572–1640‘A coarse cloth in use for the gowns of the middle classes in the time of Elizabeth’ (Fairholt); a garment made of that material. Also attributive.
- marry-muff1604–40A type of coarse fabric; = pyramid, n. II.9.
- tiffany1606–An article made of tiffany, as a head-dress, a garment, a sieve, etc.
- camlet1623–A garment made of camlet. Also figurative.
- grogram1633–A garment made of grogram.
- pepper-and-salt1774–Cloth made of interwoven dark and light threads, giving a flecked or speckled, greyish appearance; a garment made of this cloth; a person wearing…
- toilenette1790–Of an item of clothing (esp. a waistcoat): made of toilenette.
- zephyrine1820–A thin, light dress fabric, typically made of silk; a garment made of this.
- feather-mail1843–A ceremonial garment of feathers resembling a coat of mail, as formerly worn by certain Mexican and Central American peoples.
- alpaca1853–A garment, esp. a coat, made from alpaca wool or a fabric containing this. Now rare.
- khaki1857–A fabric of this colour now largely employed in the British army for field-uniforms. Originally of stout twilled cotton (khaki drill), but more…
- ramie1899–A skirt-like garment woven from ramie fibre, worn esp. in the South Pacific.
- marocain1922–A ribbed crêpe fabric of silk or wool or both; a garment made from this fabric. Also attributive or as adj.
- sharkskin1957–a. The skin of sharks used for making shagreen, and also used for polishing, etc.; also attributive; b. (i) a woven or warp-knitted fabric of wool…
- Ultrasuede1973–A proprietary name for a synthetic non-woven fabric resembling suede. Also as n., a garment made of this.
the world textiles and clothing clothing types or styles of clothing clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) [nouns] dress, robe, or gown types of made of specific material- farandine1672A dress made of this material.
- tabby1726–Short for tabby gown or dress.
- satin1730–A dress or other article of clothing made of satin.
- lutestring1756A kind of glossy silk fabric; a dress or a ribbon of this material.
- silk1793–A lady's silk dress.
- muslinc1794Any of various lightweight cotton fabrics in a plain weave. Also: a piece of such fabric; a dress or other article of clothing made of muslin.
- zephyrine1820–A thin, light dress fabric, typically made of silk; a garment made of this.
- merino1839–A garment, esp. a dress or shawl, made of merino (sense B.2a).
- mousseline1847–French muslin; a piece of this; a dress of this material. Also: = mousseline de laine, n., mousseline de soie, n.
- moire1851–69A dress or other item of clothing made of this fabric. Obsolete.
- velvet1851–A velvet dress.
- tarlatan1852–A kind of thin open muslin, used esp. for ball-dresses. Frequently attributive. Also absol., to designate a dress made of this fabric.
- velveteen1873–A dress of velveteen.
- material dress1884–A dress made of woollen cloth.
- tussore1884–A coarse brown silk (furnished by Antheræa mylitta and other species of silkworm) made in and imported from India. Also elliptical a dress made of…
- paper dress1886–(In early use probably) a dress made of a paperlike fabric (cf. paper taffeta, n.); (later) a dress made of paper, esp. an inexpensive disposable one.
- Gloria1895–A closely-woven fabric of silk and wool or cotton, etc., used for dresses, the covering of umbrellas, etc.; also, a dress of this fabric.
- Tibet1900–Used attributively of wool obtained thence, or of cloth or garments made from this or in imitation of it; applied (usually thibet) to (a) a heavy…
- tub-dress1909–A dress of washing material: cf. tub-frock, n.
- tub-frock1909–= tub-dress, n.
- seshweshwe1956–A type of printed cotton fabric, originally dyed with indigo but now available in various colours, featuring intricate, usually geometric…
- shweshwe1973–A type of printed cotton fabric, originally dyed with indigo but now available in various colours, featuring intricate, usually geometric…
the world textiles and clothing textiles textile fabric or an article of textile fabric textile fabric textile fabric made from specific material made from silk [nouns] types of thin or light weight- sendala1225–A thin rich silken material; also, a covering or garment of this material.
- silk chiffon1530–With names of special fabrics, as silk camlet, silk canvas, silk chiffon, silk damask, silk drugget, silk gauze, silk jersey, silk velvet, etc.
- silk gauze1530–With names of special fabrics, as silk camlet, silk canvas, silk chiffon, silk damask, silk drugget, silk gauze, silk jersey, silk velvet, etc.
- silk jersey1530–With names of special fabrics, as silk camlet, silk canvas, silk chiffon, silk damask, silk drugget, silk gauze, silk jersey, silk velvet, etc.
- China silk1589–In the names of specific goods and commodities associated with China. Silk produced in or imported from China; spec. a lightweight, plain-weave silk…
- patola1605–Brightly coloured fine silk cloth made by dyeing the thread before weaving; a cloth or sari made of this.
- China crepe1810–In the names of specific goods and commodities associated with China. (a) A fine crepe of silk or a similar light fabric; cf. crêpe de chine n. at…
- senshaw1817–1902A Chinese gauze-like silk fabric. Also attributive, as senshaw silk.
- tullec1818–A fine silk bobbin-net used for women's dresses, veils, hats, etc.
- zephyrine1820–A thin, light dress fabric, typically made of silk; a garment made of this.
- crêpe de chine1841–In the names of various kinds of fabric of the type described at sense A.1a, typically borrowed… A fine or sheer crepe, typically white or of a…
- mousseline de soie1850–A thin silk fabric with a texture like that of muslin.
- lisse1852–A kind of silk gauze.
- illusion1857–A name given to a thin and very transparent kind of tulle.
- sendaline1866–= sendal, n.
- louisine1882–(See quot. 1882.)
- chameleon tulle1896–
- météor1908–A kind of silk crêpe fabric backed with satin. rare.
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.
Consonants
b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values
- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige
Vowels
- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot
Frequency
zephyrine typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.
zephyrine is in frequency band 1, which contains words occurring fewer than 0.001 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency of zephyrine, adj. & n., 1820–2010
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.
The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.
For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.
| Decade | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 1820 | 0.0006 |
| 1830 | 0.0005 |
| 1840 | 0.0005 |
| 1850 | 0.0005 |
| 1860 | 0.0002 |
| 1870 | 0.0002 |
| 1880 | 0.0001 |
| 1890 | 0.0002 |
| 1900 | 0.0001 |
| 1910 | 0.00003 |
| 1920 | 0.00005 |
| 1930 | 0.00006 |
| 1940 | 0.00007 |
| 1950 | 0.00007 |
| 1960 | 0.00008 |
| 1970 | 0.00009 |
| 1980 | 0.00009 |
| 1990 | 0.00009 |
| 2000 | 0.0001 |
| 2010 | 0.00009 |