zeahttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zea_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezea, n.
Revised 2018

zeanoun

  1. 1.
    1562–1849
    † The grain spelt, Triticum aestivum spelta. Obsolete.
    1. 1562
      There are two kindes of zea whereof the one is called single and the other two cornes because it hath the sede ioyned together in two chaffy coueringes.
      W. Turner, 2nd Part Herball f. 131v
    2. 1577
      Next to Wheate and Barley, foloweth Zea [Latin Zea].
      B. Googe, translation of C. Heresbach, Foure Bookes of Husbandry i. f. 29
    3. 1611
      Bled leger, Spelt or Zea; a corne which makes light and sauorie..bread.
      R. Cotgrave, Dictionarie of French & English Tongues
    4. 1662
      Take wheat flour, or of Zea, or Maizi; (which are outlandish grain privatly commended) or crums of Bread.
      translation of F. Plater et al. Golden Pract. Physick (new edition) ii. xvii. 422/2
    5. 1728
      The Ear is sharply bearded like Barley, whose Grains or Corns being enclosed in chaffy Husks, like unto Zea, are, when cleansed, like unto Wheat.
      R. Bradley, Dictionarium Botanicum at Triticum sive Olyra
    6. 1771
      Zea, or spelt corn..seems to be a species between wheat and barley.
      M. Peters, Winter Riches viii. 229 (heading)
    7. 1800
      These, with their zea (bread), onions, melons, dates, and other delicious fruits, composed the standing dishes of the food of the Egyptians.
      J. Franklin, Hist. Ancient & Modern Egypt vol. I. v. 360
    8. 1849
      They comprise, among other kinds, the species called zea or far, Bengal wheat, starch wheat, and one-grained wheat.
      J. M. Wilson, Rural Cyclopedia vol. IV. 676/1
  2. 2.
    1760–
    A cereal grass of the genus Zea; spec. maize, Z. mays; the seeds of such a plant collectively. Also (in form Zea): the genus itself.
    1. 1760
      In respect to length, it may be Filiform, Thread-like, as in Zea; or as long as the Style, as in Genipa.
      J. Lee, Introduction to Botany i. xiv. 37
    2. 1787
      Zéa... Indian, or Turkey Wheat.
      E. Darwin et al., translation of C. Linnaeus et al. Families of Plants vol. II. 633
    3. 1808
      I turned him loose in the green-house, and fed him with corn, (zea, maize).
      W. Bartram in A. Wilson, American Ornithology vol. I. 16
    4. 1891
      Upon a wild Species of Zea from Mexico.
      Proceedings of American Academy of Arts & Sciences 1890–1 vol. 26 158 (heading)
    5. 1918
      This is considered evidence that Zea is a hybrid between the two extremes.
      Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club vol. 45 329
    6. 1969
      Zea is a robust, erect annual grass.
      S. A. Matz, Cereal Science ii. 49
    7. 2010
      Pollen researchers distinguish Zea from other grass genera on the basis of the maximum length diameter of the grain.
      J. E. Staller, Maize Cobs & Cultures iv. 190

zea, n. was revised in June 2018.

zea, n. was last modified in June 2025.