Zarnoun
Factsheet
What does the noun Zar mean?
There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun Zar. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Zar has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the noun Zar?
| 1860 | 0.032 |
| 1870 | 0.033 |
| 1880 | 0.033 |
| 1890 | 0.034 |
| 1900 | 0.04 |
| 1910 | 0.045 |
| 1920 | 0.045 |
| 1930 | 0.048 |
| 1940 | 0.051 |
| 1950 | 0.066 |
| 1960 | 0.086 |
| 1970 | 0.1 |
| 1980 | 0.13 |
| 1990 | 0.16 |
| 2000 | 0.16 |
| 2010 | 0.16 |
How is the noun Zar pronounced?
British English
Where does the noun Zar come from?
Earliest known use
1860s
The earliest known use of the noun Zar is in the 1860s.
OED's earliest evidence for Zar is from 1868, in the writing of W. C. Plowden.
Zar is a borrowing from Arabic.
Etymons: Arabic zār.
Nearby entries
- Zapatista, n. & adj.1911–
- zapote, n.1842–
- Zapotec, n. & adj.1797–
- zappe, v.c1600
- zapped, adj.1962–
- zapper, n.1969–
- zapping, n.1972–
- zappy, adj.1969–
- zaptieh, n.1869–
- ZAPU, n.1961–
- Zar, n.1868–
- Zarathustrian, adj. & n.1859–
- Zarathustrianism, n.1864–
- Zarathustric, adj.1848–
- Zarathustrism, n.1871–
- zaratite, n.1858–
- zarcole, n.1585–
- zarda, n.1899–
- zardozi, n.1871–
- zarf | zurf, n.1836–
- zari, n.1969–
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- 1.1868–In several North African countries, a malignant spirit, possession by which is a traditional explanation for attacks of (usually religious) mania, esp. in women, and formerly for some diseases.
- 1868
Consumption is not very frequent.., the Abyssinians naturally attribute it to a Zar, or some other devilment.
W. C. Plowden, Travels in Abyssinia vi. 114 - 1913
Zar and Desatir may be identified with the Bori.
R. Blind, translation of L. Frobenius, Voice Africa vol. II. xxvi. 571 - 1931
‘Art thou Zar?’ asks Umm az Zar. ‘I am Zar,’ comes the reply through the mouth of the possessed.
B. Thomas, Alarms & Excursions in Arabia v. i. 261 - 1931
If he has been possessed by a female zar, only the blood of the ox or ram will do.
B. Thomas, Alarms & Excursions in Arabia v. i. 262
the world the supernatural supernatural being or deity evil spirit or demon [nouns] familiar or possessing spirit- spiritc1350–Such a being imagined or conceived as possessing and controlling a person.
- familiar devila1464–A demon who associates with or is under the power of a person; cf. familiar, n. A.3a.
- Python1548–A spirit which takes possession of a person; a familiar, esp. one with powers of prophesy. Also: a person possessed by and uttering the words of…
- familiar spirit1549–A spirit, often taking the form of an animal, which obeys and assists a witch or other person; = familiar, n. A.3a.
- familiar1583–A spirit, often taking the form of an animal, which obeys and assists a witch or other person. Cf. earlier familiar spirit, n., familiar devil, n..
- succubus1601–transferred. A demon, evil spirit; occasionally a familiar spirit.
- demon1613–An evil spirit that possesses a person, animal, etc.
- paredrusa1641An assistant; spec. a familiar spirit.
- maisterel1652An imp, a familiar spirit.
- obsessor1652A familiar spirit or demon. Obsolete.
- paredrial1652= paredrus, n.
- cad1657–58A familiar spirit.
- kanaima1825–Among Arawak and Carib peoples of Guyana and Venezuela: a spirit, or person possessed by a spirit, who causes sickness or death as an act of…
- Zar1868–In several North African countries, a malignant spirit, possession by which is a traditional explanation for attacks of (usually religious) mania…
- 2.1931–Any of various ceremonies associated with possession by or propitiation of such spirits, esp. a variety of whirling dance. Frequently attributive.
- 1931
The Zar ceremony in which the participants drink the blood of their sacrifices.
Times Literary Supplement 2 April 263/1 - 1966
The Dervish dancers, with castanets, tambourines and all the trimmings of their famous Zar dance; a swoop of movements, a whirling and spinning which makes their embroidered robes float out horizontally seemingly in defiance of gravity.
Guardian 14 March 18/4 - 1989
Zār rituals are always fraught with tension and surprise.
J. Boddy, Wombs & Alien Spirits iv. 131
- hoppingc1330–A dance; a rural festival of which dancing forms a principal part.
- hocking1406–
- church ale1448–A festivity during which ale is drunk, held by or in connection with a church esp. to raise money for church repair, the poor, etc. Also: the ale…
- bid-alec1462–1857An ‘ale’ or entertainment for the benefit of some person, to which a general bidding or invitation was given.
- kirk-ale1543–1879= church ale, n.
- maids' ale1547The festival of the maidens' guild.
- quaff-tide1582The season for drinking.
- help-ale1587–1675A rustic festival or merry-making in celebration of the completion of some work (e.g. haymaking) done with the help of neighbours (obsolete).
- king's day1618–A day of celebration marking a King's birthday, coronation day, or other anniversary.
- clerk-ale1627–An ale-drinking for the benefit of the parish clerk; also, the ale then provided.
- Tynwald daya1628–The day, usually falling on 5 July, on which new laws are promulgated (in both English and Manx) from Tynwald Hill each year, typically marked with a…
- Chinese New Year1704–The Chinese festival marking the start of the new year, beginning on the second new moon after the winter solstice and ending on the full moon…
- Rasa-yatra1767–An Indian festival celebrating a dance originally performed by Krishna and the gopis (gopi, n.) in Hindu mythology. Formerly also: this dance. Cf…
- spring festival1788–Any of various festivals held in the springtime, usually to mark the passing of winter into spring.
- souling1813–English regional (chiefly northern and western). The action, practice, or ritual of going about asking for donations of food, etc., traditionally on…
- gooding1818–The action of begging or collecting alms; spec. the custom of going round the wealthier households of a parish at Christmas time to beg for money or…
- club walking1821–(In the United Kingdom) an annual parish festival and procession of a friendly society or the like, usually held around May Day or Whitsuntide; = club…
- club walk1822–(In the United Kingdom) an annual parish festival and procession of a friendly society or the like, usually held around May Day or Whitsuntide; cf. cl…
- walking day1826–A day (usually at Whitsun) on which Sunday School children walk in procession; cf. walk, n.¹ II.7a.
- yatra1827–Chiefly in Bengal: a theatrical entertainment or song recital staged during a religious festival.
- fish festival1828–A festival to celebrate fish as a foodstuff.
- Volksfest1836–A traditional public festival, typically one at which beer or wine is served, and (in later use) having food stalls, rides, and other attractions.
- triacontaëterid1839–A period of thirty years, or a festival recurring every thirty years.
- pwe1842–In Burma (Myanmar): a performance, spectacle, or event staged for public entertainment, as a play, a drama, a dance, etc.; a festival that involves…
- Thomasing1847–The begging of alms on St. Thomas's day (21 December). Also called corning, doling, or gooding.
- book festival1851–An organized event that celebrates or promotes books or reading; a literary festival.
- Valentining1854–English regional (south-east midlands). The activity or custom (typically performed by children) of going from house to house on Valentine's Day…
- hocking-ale1857–Ale brewed for the festival at Hocktide; the festival itself, at which collections were made for parochial purposes.
- Mary-ale1857–A celebration held on a festival of the Virgin Mary.
- beer festival1858–An event or celebration at which beer is served; (now usually) an organized event celebrating beers or brewing at which a variety of different beers…
- Oktoberfest1859–Originally: an annual festival celebrated in Munich in late September and early October (often with particular reference to the beer festival…
- Marymass1866–In Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland: a festival held on the third Saturday after the first Monday in August, to commemorate a visit by Mary, Queen of…
- Lag b'Omer1874–A Jewish festival held on the 33rd day of the Omer, traditionally regarded as celebrating the end of a plague in the 2nd cent. a.d.
- full moon festival1876–= Moon Festival, n.
- beerfest1877–In early use: an event or celebration at which beer is served (sometimes as a promotional event for a brewery or drinking establishment). Now…
- Tanabata1880–A Japanese festival held annually on 7 July (that in Sendai, N. Honshu, being the most famous), in which the heavenly lovers Shokujo and Kengyū are…
- Moon Festival1892–(In China and Chinese communities elsewhere) a festival celebrated in mid-autumn on the fifteenth night of the eighth moon of the Chinese year…
- love fest1907–An event or interaction characterized by (mutual) uncritical appreciation or affinity.
- bierfest1908–An organized event at which a variety of beers are served; = beer festival, n. Cf. beerfest, n.
- book fest1908–a. = book festival, n.; b. a period of prolonged or intense reading or discussion of books.
- sausage fest1908–U.S. colloquial. An organized event dedicated to the eating of sausages.
- Zar1931–Any of various ceremonies associated with possession by or propitiation of such spirits, esp. a variety of whirling dance. Frequently attributive.
- rara1941–In Haiti: an annual street festival coinciding broadly with Lent, during which processions are held and music is performed. Hence: the music…
- mas'1956–In Trinidad (and later elsewhere): a masquerade, esp. one held as part of an annual carnival parade; carnival celebrations.
- molimo1960–Among the Mbuti people: a religious festival or ritual marking an important occasion such as marriage, death, etc., and characterized by the singing…
- Kwanzaa1970–A secular festival observed by many African Americans from 26 December to 1 January, as a celebration of family, community, and culture.
- nostalgia-fest1979–A festival of nostalgia; a piece of nostalgic entertainment.
society leisure dancing types of dance or dancing dances of other countries [nouns] North Africa and the Levant- fantasia1838–The Italian word is current in the Levant and North Africa, in the senses: (a) Ostentation, pomp, self-importance. (b) A kind of Arab dance; also…
- Zar1931–Any of various ceremonies associated with possession by or propitiation of such spirits, esp. a variety of whirling dance. Frequently attributive.
society leisure dancing types of dance or dancing dances of other countries [adjectives] North Africa and the Levant- Ouled Nail1906–Of, relating to, or designating a North African dancing girl or the Algerian Arab people from which most such girls originated.
- Zar1931–Any of various ceremonies associated with possession by or propitiation of such spirits, esp. a variety of whirling dance. Frequently attributive.
Pronunciation
British 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.
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
Zar typically occurs about 0.1 times per million words in modern written English.
Zar is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency of Zar, n., 1860–2010
* 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 |
|---|---|
| 1860 | 0.032 |
| 1870 | 0.033 |
| 1880 | 0.033 |
| 1890 | 0.034 |
| 1900 | 0.04 |
| 1910 | 0.045 |
| 1920 | 0.045 |
| 1930 | 0.048 |
| 1940 | 0.051 |
| 1950 | 0.066 |
| 1960 | 0.086 |
| 1970 | 0.1 |
| 1980 | 0.13 |
| 1990 | 0.16 |
| 2000 | 0.16 |
| 2010 | 0.16 |
Frequency of Zar, n., 2017–2024
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.
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 corpus.
| Period | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 0.15 |
| 2018 | 0.15 |
| 2019 | 0.17 |
| 2020 | 0.19 |
| 2021 | 0.18 |
| 2022 | 0.18 |
| 2023 | 0.19 |
| 2024 | 0.17 |