Z, n.

z
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/z_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1921; not fully revised

# Znoun

## Earlier version

- Z in OED Second Edition (1989)

## In other dictionaries

- z, n. in Middle English Dictionary

## Factsheet

### What does the noun Z mean?

There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun Z. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Z has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

geometry (mid 1600s) archaeology (late 1600s) architecture (late 1600s) surgery (late 1600s) mathematics (1840s) genetics (1910s) chemistry (1930s) nuclear physics (1930s) spinning (1930s) particle physics (1960s)

#### Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

### How is the noun Z pronounced?

#### British English

/zɛd/
zed

#### U.S. English

/zi/
zee

### Where does the noun Z come from?

Earliest known use

Old English

The earliest known use of the noun Z is in the Old English period (pre-1150).

### Nearby entries

1. 4WD, n. 1973–
2. 4x4, n. 1937–
3. 5-methylcytosine, n. 1903–
4. 70-year-old, n. & adj. 1832–
5. 73, n. 1855–
6. 78, n. 1949–
7. 800 number, n. 1971–
8. 900 number, n. 1977–
9. 911, n. 1968–
10. 999, n. 1937–
11. Z, n.Old English–
12. 'Z, adj.
13. za, n. 1968–
14. zaatar, n. 1917–
15. zabaglione, n. 1899–
16. zabernism, n. 1916–21
17. zabernize, v. 1914
18. zabra, n. 1523–
19. zabuton, n. 1879–
20. zac, n. 1898–
21. 'zackly | 'zactly, adv. 1886–

## Etymology

The twenty-sixth and last letter of the English and other modern alphabets, derives its form, through the medium of the Latin and Greek alphabets, from the Phœnician and ancient Hebrew ??? (Hebrew ז…
The twenty-sixth and last letter of the English and other modern alphabets, derives its form, through the medium of the Latin and Greek alphabets, from the Phœnician and ancient Hebrew ??? (Hebrew ז zayin); in the Phœnician, Greek, and earlier Roman alphabets it was the seventh letter, in the later Roman alphabet the twenty-third. Greek Ζ ζ seems to have had originally the phonetic value /zd/ or /dz/ , but later simple /z/ . Instances of z are found in early Latin, but Greek ζ was more commonly represented initially by s, e.g. sōna (Plautus) = ζώνη, and medially by ss, e.g. cōmissor = κωμάζω, massa = μᾶζα mass n.2, but after b.c. 100 z came into regular use to render the ζ of Greek loanwords. In consequence of the phonetic change of /dz/ to /dj/ exemplified by the spelling baptidiare for baptizare, Greek βαπτίζειν to baptize, z in popular Latin came to denote /dj/ and probably /j/ , as in zaconus for diaconus deacon, zeta for dieta (see zeta n.2), zunior for junior (cf. the spellings Zopen, Zope in Cursor Mundi for Joppa). For the use of z for initial x see X n.

Z was used in Old English in the spelling of alien words, and (with or without t or d) in certain loanwords, as bæ(d)zere (Latin baptista + ‑ere ‑er suffix1) baptist, mertze (Latin mercem, merx), with the value (ts); this use was continued in Middle English, e.g. mildze, milz(c)e, milce n., and was reinforced by French usage, as shown in forms like caliz chalice, croiz cross, voiz voice, vestimenz, plural of vestiment. This phonetic value is preserved in, and indicated by the spelling of, modern English assets (Anglo-Norman asetz, Old French asez enough, popular Latin ad-satis) and the patronymic prefix Fitz- (Anglo-Norman fiz = fius, fils n.1 Latin fīlius).

In French, the reduction of /ts/ to /s/ brought about a change of spelling from z to s (often alternating with x, e.g. vois, voix), and this helped to set free z to denote the voiced s appropriate to such ‘learned’ adoptions as zone (which appears as early as the 12th cent., Ph. de Thaun). In English, by the end of the 13th cent., z is found with the later Old French value /z/ in ‘learned’ words, e.g. zizanny tares (Cursor Mundi 1138); it is conspicuous in the Ayenbite of Inwyt (c1340) as the symbol for the voiced s characteristic of southern dialects (e.g. Kentish zenne, Old English synn sin); by the end of the 14th cent. the character had become general, e.g. gaze, mazed, canonize.

In MSS. of 1300 onwards the tailed z and ȝ came to be indistinguishable in form (cf. first quot. s.v. zed n.); hence in modern editions are found many instances of spellings such as ȝelot zealot, Sarȝine Saracen. This identity of the two symbols was perpetuated in the typography of early Scottish printers, who represented the sounds /j/ and /z/ by the same characters, as in such words as ze ye, zeir year, forzet forget, fenzeit feigned, and azure, zele zeal. This confusion has led to the general mispronunciation by Englishmen of capercailzie /-ˈkeːlji/ , corruptly /-ˈkeɪlzɪ/ , and proper names such as Cadzow, Dalziel, Mackenzie, Menzies /ˈmiŋɪs/ .

1. a1814

   > He [sc. Lord Kames] used to say that pronouncing the letter z in the names Mackenzie and Menzies in the English was enough to turn his stomach.

   J. Ramsay, Scotland & Scotsmen 18th Century (1888) vol. I. 212 (note)

The name given to the letter in England (presumably since the Norman Conquest) has been zed n. or one of its variants, †zad n., †zard, izzard n., ezod, uzzard. With the disyllabic forms, which survive dialectally, cf. French edez, ? for ezed (Coyfurelly, 14th cent.), ézed (Claude de Saint-Lien, 1580), Prov. izedo, Catalan idzeta, apparently from popular Latin *idzēta, < Greek ζῆτα /ˈdzɛːta/ . The names ez (Gil, Logonomia Anglica, 1619) and ze (C. Butler, Eng. Gram., 1633) do not seem to represent actual usage, but are (like ya and yi as names of y) systematic inventions of these phonetic writers. The name zee n., now standard in the United States of America, appears to have had some early currency in England.

Initially and medially z occurs largely in words of Greek or Oriental origin, e.g. zeal, azimuth, Amazon, zenith; and in this Dictionary the spelling of the suffix derived ultimately from Greek ‑ίζειν has been normalized throughout as ‑ize suffix. In other classes of words the use of z has been determined by various circumstances, e.g. the immediate source of the word, as in bronze, or the desirability of an unambiguous or distinctive spelling, as in ooze (cf. loose), prize (cf. price). It is found in a number of monosyllabic words (and their derivatives), as craze, daze, laze, maze, doze, gloze, gauze, furze, blowze, size, assize, seize, freeze, wheeze.

One fact which has told against an extensive use of it instead of s to represent the sound /z/ is the difficulty of writing the character rapidly and intelligibly; this is referred to by Mulcaster, 1st Part of Elementarie, 1582, p. 123:—Z, is a consonant much heard amongst vs, and seldom sene. I think by reason it is not so redie to the pen as s, is, which is become lieutenant generall to z, as gàse, amàse, ràsur, where z, is heard, but, s, sene.

It is remarkable that in the three words cited by him the ultimate decision has been in favour of the spelling with z. In certain words usage fluctuated even in modern times until s or z prevailed, as in tease and †teaze, pose and †poze, surprise and †surprize; rase and raze are specifically differentiated.

Z is normally employed to denote /z/ , the blade-open-voice consonant, the voiced analogue of /s/ . In the combination ‑zure in azure it denotes /ʒ/ , a sound commonly denoted by other means, as in pleasure, decision, lesion, transition.

## Meaning & use

1. I.
   The letter, its sound or shape; (also) denoting position in serial order.
   1. I.1.
      Old English–
      The letter, or its sound.
      1. OE

         > Z, eac, se grecisca stæf, geendað on a. Se stæf is genumen of Grecum to ledenspræce for greciscum wordum.

         Ælfric, Grammar (Z.) ii. 6
      2. 1528

         > S betwene two vowelles, pronounceth [sic] by .z.

         in A. J. Ellis, On Early English Pronunciation (1871) vol. III. 816
      3. 1530

         > The x by this rule shalbe sounded lyke an z [i.e. ezod].

         J. Palsgrave, Lesclarcissement 38
      4. ?1533

         > If ye do adde a z, at the latter ende of them, than are they plurell nombres.

         G. Du Wes, Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Bii v
      5. 1611

         > The tongue in the former [guere] giuing onely a touch to the palate, and sounding the later [poison] as if it were a Z.

         R. Cotgrave, Dictionarie of French & English Tongues Briefe Direct. 2/1
      6. 1668

         > (Z) is by some stiled (S) molle... (Zh) the sonorous Consonant, and (Sh) its correspondent mute.

         Bishop J. Wilkins, Essay Real Character iii. xii. 369
      7. 1669

         > The vowel I, partaking also of the nature of a Consonant, added to Z, comes very near to the sound of Zh, as Zya.

         W. Holder, Elements of Speech 43
      8. 1792

         > The Z's, an ancient sign at grocers shops, look very enigmatical; but I am told they allude to the word zinziber, or ginger, and intimated the sale of that article.

         W. Roberts, Looker-on No. 32. 255
      9. 1838

         > I have got names ready made to the end of the alphabet, and all the way through it again, when we come to Z.

         C. Dickens, Oliver Twist vol. I. ii. 18
      1. A Old English–
         The letter, and the sound it represents.
      2. bookstaff Old English–
         A letter of the alphabet.
      3. E Old English–
         The letter, and the sound it represents.
      4. G Old English–
         The letter, and the sound it represents.
      5. K Old English–
         The letter. The plural appears as Ks, K's, ks, k's. (Although now generally pronounced /keɪ/, the pronunciation /kiː/ was formerly also current.)
      6. M Old English–
         The letter, and the sound it represents.
      7. R Old English–
         The letter, and the sound it represents.
      8. staff Old English–1175
         A written character; a letter. Also: (in plural) writing, written text. Cf. bookstaff, n. Obsolete.
      9. Y Old English–
         The letter or its sound.
      10. Z Old English–
          The letter, or its sound.
      11. letter c1225–
          A character representing one or more of the elementary sounds used in speech and language; any of the symbols of an alphabet used in written language.
      12. print 1340–1897
          figurative. An image or likeness of something. Obsolete (Manx English in later use).
      13. taw c1400–
          (The name of) the final letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ת); (also) the corresponding letter in various ancient Semitic alphabets. Cf. tau, n.
      14. W c1465–
          The letter, its sound or name.
      15. J 1591–
          The letter. The plural appears as Js, J's, js, j's.
      16. X 1813–
          (a) Used like other letters of the alphabet to denote serial order, as in the signatures of the sheets of a book, the batteries of the Royal Horse…
      17. stave 1817–
          An alphabetic symbol or character; esp. a runic symbol; a rune. Cf. rune, n.² 1 rune-stave, n.
      18. alphabet 1972–
          regional. In the English of Hawaii, Hong Kong, India, Southeast Asia, and West Africa: a letter of the alphabet.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. I.2.
      1680–
      The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar noun a metal bar having a cross-section of a form resembling a Z; so Z-iron. Z-bend noun a series of bends in a road forming a shape like a letter Z. Z-crank noun a crank of zigzag form, used in marine engines. Z-fold adjective (of print-out paper) in a continuous strip that comes folded in alternate directions in a stacked pile. Z-plan noun Architecture the ground plan of a type of Scottish castle having a central block with a tower placed at each of two diagonally opposite corners. Z-plastic adjective Surgery involving the use of Z-shaped incisions; also as n., Z-plastic surgery. Z-plasty noun a technique in which one or more Z-shaped incisions is made (the diagonals forming one straight line) and the two triangular flaps of skin so formed are rotated and drawn across the diagonal before being stitched, so as to give a less obvious Z-shaped scar and minimize the effect of contraction; an operation in which this technique is used. Also in combinations as Z-shaped adjective in the shape of a Z; spec. in Archaeology, designating a rod motif found on Pictish stones.
      1. 1680

         > Bent backwards and forwards..somewhat like an z [i.e. ezod or izzard].

         J. Moxon, Mechanick Exercises vol. I. xiii. 223
      2. 1688

         > A Roman Z.

         R. Holme, Academy of Armory iii. 408/2
      3. 1711

         > The Irregularity of his Shape, which he describes as very much resembling the Letter Z.

         R. Steele, Spectator No. 17. ⁋2
      4. 1820

         > No more the well taught feet shall tread The figure of the mazy Z.

         Death of Minuet 24 in Edinburgh Magazine & Literary Miscellany vol. VI. 453
      5. 1852

         > The road winds up the side of the cone like a strung series of Zs.

         Household Words vol. 4 423/1
      6. 1858

         > Z-crank, the peculiarly-shaped crank of a cylinder, in a newly-invented engine for marine propulsion.

         P. L. Simmonds, Dictionary of Trade Products
      7. 1877

         > Provided the thin iron plating..be stiffened by angle-bars, T bars, or Z bars riveted to its surface.

         W. H. White, Manual of Naval Architecture ix. 360
      8. 1877

         > Z-iron..is used for frames behind armour in ironclads.

         W. H. White, Manual of Naval Architecture x. 386
      9. 1880

         > The Z and kindred varieties of this ornament.

         J. Anderson, Scotland in Early Christian Times 2nd Series 114
      10. 1887

          > As one form of plan is designated the L plan, it has occurred to us that the form we are now considering might..be called the Z plan. We have accordingly adopted this nomenclature.

          D. Macgibbon & T. Ross, Castellated & Domestic Architecture of Scotland vol. II. 6
      11. 1889

          > Instead of these Z bars, earlier vessels have the frames at their ends made up of two angle bars riveted back to back.

          J. J. Welch, Text Book of Naval Architecture vi. 89
      12. 1893

          > The Z-patterns (fine lines arranged diagonally, like natural and reversed Zeds combined).

          F. Madan, Books in Manuscript 53
      13. 1901

          > The double-disc and crescent symbols of the Pictish stones may be connected with the worship of the Blessed Virgin, the Z and V-shaped rods being her floriated sceptre.

          Proceedings of Society Antiquaries Scotland 3rd Series vol. 11 91
      14. 1908

          > A new and entirely Scotch plan is very common. This has been called the zigzag or Z plan.

          F. R. Fraprie, Castles & Keeps of Scotland i. 22
      15. 1913

          > Z-plastic surgery.

          S. L. McCurdy in Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics vol. 16 209 (heading)
      16. 1913

          > Z-plastic operation of the neck for burn scar.

          S. L. McCurdy in Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics vol. 16 212/2 (caption)
      17. 1927

          > Two plates of silver engraved with the double disc and Z-shaped rod symbol.

          Scottish Notes & Queries 3rd Series vol. V. 2/1
      18. 1934

          > Davis has been interested in tracing the history of the use of Z plastic.

          Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics vol. 58 178/1
      19. 1940

          > 2 patients returned for further work after a Z plasty with skin graft.

          Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics vol. 70 942/1
      20. 1958

          > The shops were grouped round the angles of a Z-bend in the road.

          New Statesman 1 November 590/2
      21. 1964

          > A Z-plasty should be done only on one aspect of the finger at a time, thereby avoiding complete disruption of the circulation.

          R. J. V. Battle, Plastic Surgery xii. 316
      22. 1967

          > The smudge is gone from Z-fold paper.

          Electronics 6 March 282/2
      23. 1967

          > A selection of the commoner symbols is illustrated here, the most common of all being the crescent with an applied V-shaped rod, the double disc with an applied Z-shaped rod.

          I. Henderson, Picts v. 104
      24. 1973

          > About twelve miles of diabolical Z-bends.

          J. Leasor, Host of Extras v. 69
      25. 1977

          > The Achilles tendon is lengthened by Z-plasty and then the posterior capsules of the ankle and subtalar joints are incised transversely.

          Proceedings of Royal Society of Medicine vol. 70 256/2
      26. 1977

          > Z-shaped techniques other than Z-plasties, which are referred to as ‘Z-plastics’, differ in the movement or lack of movement of the flaps formed by the zigzag incision.

          Clinics in Plastic Surgery vol. IV. 207/1
      27. 1978

          > Began 1560, it is an excellent example of a Z-plan castle, comprising towers at diagonally opposite corners of a main block.

          A. Ritchie & G. Ritchie, Ancient Monuments of Orkney 79
      28. 1982

          > It [sc. a digital plotter] also uses Z-fold paper and disposable fiber-tip pens.

          Computerworld (U.S.) 15 March 66
      archaeology architecture surgery
      1. Y 1513–
         The letter considered with regard to its shape; a figure or marking of this shape. Also in combination y-shaped adj.
      2. tee 1610–
         The name of the letter T; also applied to objects having the form of this (T or ⊦). See also T, n. I.2.
      3. H a1616–
         With reference to the shape of the capital H.
      4. Z 1680–
         The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      5. W 1798–
         The letter considered with regard to its shape. Also attributive.
      6. V 1832–
         Used with reference to the shape of the letter; an object having this shape; a V-shaped, acute-angled formation. Cf. vee, n.
      7. Z-bar 1877–
         The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      8. zed 1891–
         More fully zed bar. A steel girder with a Z-shaped cross-section, esp. as used in shipbuilding; = Z-bar n. at Z, n. I.2. Now chiefly historical.
      9. vee 1933–
         A thing having or arranged in the shape of a V.
      10. T-junction 1954–
          A T-shaped intersection (of pipes, etc.); spec. a T-shaped road junction.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. diapered 1418–
         Decorated with a repeating geometrical or (stylized) floral pattern. Of a fabric, textile, garment, etc.: woven or ornamented with a pattern of this…
      2. fretted c1420–
         transferred and figurative in various senses.
      3. checkery c1440
         Chequered, checky.
      4. checked a1475–
         Marked with lines crossing at right angles; variegated with different colours in squares or other geometrical figures; chequered.
      5. diaper a1475–
         As a modifier, with the sense ‘designating a repeating geometrical or (stylized) floral pattern’, or ‘decorated with a repeating geometrical or…
      6. chequered 1486–
         Marked like a chessboard; hence, having a pattern of various colours in more or less geometrical arrangement.
      7. lozenged 1523–
         Ornamented with lozenges of alternate colours; divided into lozenges or lozenge-shaped spaces.
      8. diapery 1605–
         Having a repeating geometrical or (stylized) floral pattern; (more generally) chequered or patterned with various colours. Also: of the nature of…
      9. fret 1663–
         Of a ceiling: = fretted, adj.²
      10. lozengy 1686–
          transferred. Composed of or divided into lozenges.
      11. reticulated 1753–
          Architecture. Of or relating to the construction of a wall, brickwork, etc., using polygonal stones, or square stones set diagonally. Of a wall…
      12. geometrical 1777–
          Of a design: characterized by or decorated with regular shapes or patterns.
      13. reticular 1783–1867
          Architecture. = reticulated, adj. 2a. Obsolete.
      14. geometric 1842–
          = geometrical, adj. A.1b.
      15. Z-shaped 1858–
          The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      16. chessboard 1889–
          attributive. Also as adj., resembling a chessboard; like that of a chessboard.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. ground-plot 1563–1691
         = ground plan, n. 1. Obsolete.
      2. model 1570–1714
         A set of designs (plans, elevations, sections, etc.) for a projected building or other structure; a similar set of drawings made to scale and…
      3. ichnography 1598–
         A ground plan; the representation of the horizontal section of a building or of part of it (or, rarely, of some object resting on the ground)…
      4. skiagraphy 1636–
         Architecture. A representation of a building in cross-section. Now rare.
      5. plane 1639–1706
         A chart, a map, a plan; = plan, n. I.2a. Obsolete.
      6. skiagraph 1648–56
         A representation of a building in cross-section; = skiagraphy, n. II.6. Obsolete. rare.
      7. plain 1659
         = plan, n. I.2a. Obsolete. rare.
      8. plan 1664–
         A drawing, sketch, or diagram of any object made by projection on a horizontal plane; esp. one showing the layout of a building or one floor of a…
      9. planography?1668–1858
         A ground plan or map; (also) a plane section. Obsolete. rare.
      10. scheme 1703
          In wider sense: A diagram; a figure drawn to illustrate a mathematical proposition, or to elucidate descriptions of natural phenomena, machinery…
      11. ground plan 1731–
          The representation on a plane of the arrangement, divisions, etc., of a building or other structure, at the ground level.
      12. working plan 1767–
          a. = working drawing, n.; usually in plural; b. Forestry a plan for the management and regeneration of a forest.
      13. working drawing 1785–
          A scale drawing which serves as a guide for the construction or manufacture of something, esp. a building; usually in plural.
      14. detail 1819–
          Fine Arts. Architecture. Short for detail drawing(s, working drawings.
      15. block plan 1833–
          An outline plan or sketch, esp. of a building site; cf. block, v.¹ II.6a.
      16. shop drawing 1865–
          (Usually in plural) a scale drawing which serves as a guide for the construction or manufacture of something, esp. a building; a working drawing.
      17. floor-plan 1867–
          a. Shipbuilding (see quot. 1867); b. Architecture (see quot. 1874).
      18. Z-plan 1887–
          The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      19. master plan 1914–
          a. A large-scale or comprehensive plan of action; b. a general plan of a building, installation, etc., esp. one made prior to construction.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Z-plastic 1913–
         The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      2. Z-plasty 1940–
         The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Z-plastic 1913–
         The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. jamb 1567–79
         An angular turn or corner in a street or way. Obsolete.
      2. right 1735–
         The right-hand way or road; a right-hand turn (cf. to hang a right at hang, v. additions).
      3. bend 1803–
         concrete. A thing of bent shape; the bent part of anything, e.g. of a river, a road; a curve or crook.
      4. lacet 1847–
         A hairpin bend in a road.
      5. transition curve 1889–
         a. (In a graph) a curve representing the variation in one or more quantities during a period of transition between states; b. a gently curved…
      6. hairpin bend 1906–
         In full hairpin bend, hairpin corner, hairpin turn, etc. A sharp bend in a road or course likened to a hairpin in form.
      7. Z-bend 1958–
         The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      8. right-hander 1963–
         A corner turning to the right in a road, track, etc.; a right-hand bend.
      9. virage 1963–
         A sharp bend in a road or other route, esp. one of a series forming a zigzag, as on a steep hill, etc.; a sharp turn made by a vehicle, etc., as when…
      10. left-hander 1964–
          A corner on a road or racing circuit which bends to the left.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Z-fold 1967–
         The letter considered with respect to its shape; a figure or object of this shape. Also attributive, as Z-bar n. a metal bar having a…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. I.3.
      a1821–
      As the last letter of the alphabet; hence allusively for ‘end’. Chiefly in from A to Z: see from A to (also until) Z at A n. I.3.
      1. a1821

         > We must obey The prince from A to Z.

         J. Keats, Otho v. v, in R. M. Milnes, Life, Letters & Literary Remains Keats (1848) vol. II. 193
      2. 1876

         > Ask the experts! How they shake the head O'er these characters,..Call them forgery from A to Z!

         R. Browning, Fears & Scruples v
      3. 1877

         > Christ is the A, and the Z of the Bible.

         J. Wells, Bible Echoes 297
      4. 1912

         > I know Ealing from A to Z, but have never visited Regent Street.

         L. Tracy, Mirabel's Island v. 84
      allusive
      1. to the bone Old English–
         Right through the flesh so as to reach the bone. Frequently hyperbolical, or in figurative contexts.
      2. through and through c1225–
         All the way through from one side to the other, or from beginning to end; right through. Also: repeatedly through. Also in figurative contexts.
      3. out and out c1300–
         Thoroughly, completely, entirely; downright.
      4. out and in c1390–1842
         Both on the outside and the inside; thoroughly, altogether. Cf. sense A.II.i.16. Obsolete.
      5. (from) head to heel (also heels) c1400–
         (from) head to heel (also heels) and variants: = (from) head to foot (also feet) at phrases P.3f.i.
      6. from top to (also and) tail c1400–
         from top to (also †and) tail: from head to foot; all over. Frequently figurative: entirely, completely; (also) from beginning to end.
      7. (from) head to foot (also feet) c1425
         (from) head to foot (also feet) and variants: all over or throughout a person's body; figurative completely, thoroughly, through and through. Also he…
      8. from top to (also into, unto) toe c1480–
         figurative and in extended use. Entirely; completely; (also) from beginning to end.
      9. to the skin 1526–
         Through all one's garments; (hence) thoroughly, completely. Chiefly in wet (also soaked, etc.) to the skin.
      10. to one's (also the) finger (also fingers') ends 1530–
          to one's (also the) finger (also fingers') ends: completely, entirely, through and through; = to one's (also the) fingertips at fingertip, n. &…
      11. from the first to the last 1536–
          from first to last: from beginning to end, throughout. Also †from the first to the last (obsolete).
      12. up and down 1542–
          In every respect; entirely, thoroughly, completely. Now dialect.
      13. (from) top to bottom 1559–
          (from) top to bottom (sometimes also from bottom to top): from the upper part to the lower, or from the lower part to the upper. Frequently figurative…
      14. whole out 1562
          Modifying an adverb, forming adverbial phrases (in which whole may sometimes be construed as an adjective), esp. in whole out: throughout; whole tog…
      15. from first to last 1567
          from first to last: from beginning to end, throughout. Also †from the first to the last (obsolete).
      16. to the pith 1587
          to the pith: thoroughly, to the very core. Obsolete.
      17. to the back 1594–
          With prepositions. to the back: to the back-bone, all through.
      18. from A to (also until) Z 1612–
          from A to (also until) Z: from beginning to end, all through, in every particular.
      19. from clew to earing 1627–
          Nautical. A lower corner of a square sail, or the aftmost corner of a fore-and-aft sail, to which are made fast the tacks and sheets by which it is…
      20. back and edge 1673
          spec. The thick edge of a knife or other cutting instrument, opposite to the face, or cutting edge. Hence back and edge: everything, through…
      21. all hollow 1762
          Thoroughly, completely, out-and-out; also (U.S.) all hollow. colloquial.
      22. (all) to pieces 1788–
          (all) to pieces: to a great degree, completely, through and through. Now colloquial.
      23. from A to Z a1821–
          As the last letter of the alphabet; hence allusively for ‘end’. Chiefly in from A to Z: see from A to (also until) Z at A, n. I.3.
      24. to one's (also the) fingertips 1825–
          to one's (also the) fingertips: all over or throughout one's body; completely, thoroughly, through and through.
      25. to one's fingernails 1851–
          to one's fingernails: completely, thoroughly; to the greatest degree or extent.
      26. from tip to toe 1853–
          from tip to toe: from top to bottom (more usually from top to toe: see top, n.¹ & adj.phrases P.2a.ii).
      27. down to the ground 1859–
          figurative in †to bring to the ground: to cast down, overthrow, overcome, subdue; to come (also go) to the ground: to be overcome; to perish; so t…
      28. to the backbone 1864–
          The vertebral column, the spine. to the backbone: thoroughly, completely.
      29. right the way 1867–
          right the way: all the way through (also down, round, etc.). See sense I.2a.
      30. pur sang 1893–
          In all respects, through and through; genuinely, strictly; without adulteration.
      31. from the ground up 1895–
          figurative in †to bring to the ground: to cast down, overthrow, overcome, subdue; to come (also go) to the ground: to be overcome; to perish; so t…
      32. in and out 1895–
          Both in and out; inside and outside.
      33. from soda (card) to hock 1902–
          from soda (card) to hock: from the top card to the last in the dealing-box; hence, from beginning to end.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. end Old English–
         The limit of duration, or close, of a period of time; the termination, conclusion, of an action, process, continuous state, or course of events…
      2. ending Old English–
         The action of end, v.¹: termination, conclusion, completion; †death, etc.
      3. fine a1300–
         A cessation, termination, end, or conclusion of something. Also in to bring to fine, to set the fine of. Now only in in (†the) fine at phrases P.1.
      4. conclusion 1382–
         The end, close, finish, termination, ‘wind up’ (e.g. of a speech or writing). (See also 4.)
      5. oo c1384–1500
         (A name for) the Greek long ō or omega, esp. in alpha and oo at alpha, n. A.2.
      6. finance 1449–1616
         An end; an outcome. Obsolete.
      7. close c1475–
         The end of an event or of a period of time or activity; the conclusion, the end. Frequently in to bring to a close, to come to a close, to draw to a…
      8. termination c1500–
         Cessation, close, conclusion, end (in time); an instance of this.
      9. last?1520–
         With the. The final part or portion; the conclusion, the end; the remainder, the rest. Chiefly with of. gen.
      10. wind-up-all 1573–88
          A restatement or recapitulation of the main points of an argument, statement, etc.; a summation or conclusion.
      11. conclusure 1578
          Closing, final settlement.
      12. clause 1581–1724
          Close, conclusion. Obsolete.
      13. upshot 1582–1662
          An end, conclusion, or termination. Obsolete.
      14. ganging to 1588
          The setting of the sun; (also) the close or end.
      15. desinence 1598–
          Termination, ending, close; Grammar a termination, suffix, or ending of a word.
      16. omega 1599–
          (The name of) the last letter (Ω, ω) of the Greek alphabet.
      17. Godspeed 1606–
          figurative. The critical part or juncture of something; the last moment. Chiefly in in the Godspeed of. Cf. in the Godspeed at phrases P.1. Now rare.
      18. wind-up 1665–
          The action of concluding or finishing something; something that settles or concludes a course of action, a story, one's affairs, etc.; a…
      19. finis 1682–
          Hence, the conclusion, end, finish; end of life, death.
      20. finale 1786–
          The conclusion, end; the final catastrophe. Also transferred.
      21. finish 1790–
          The conclusion, last stage, termination; also (colloquial or slang) the ‘end’ of a man.
      22. tie-up 1829–
          slang. A finish, conclusion, ‘wind-up’.
      23. Z 1877–
          As the last letter of the alphabet; hence allusively for ‘end’. Chiefly in from A to Z: see from A to (also until) Z at A, n. I.3.
      24. top-up 1882
          An event or action which provides a fitting or memorable conclusion to something. Obsolete. rare.
      25. curtains 1912–
          In plural (also occasionally in singular), the end (cf. sense 2c (iii)). slang.
      26. taps 1917–
          Plural taps n. U.S. Military a signal sounded on the drum or trumpet, fifteen minutes after the tattoo, at which all lights in the soldiers'…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. 1. I.4.a.
         1852–
         Used (usually repeated) to represent a buzzing sound; also conventionally representing the sound of snoring. Hence Z-ing n., and as v. intransitive to make such a noise or noises.
         1. 1852

            > The dry z-ing of the locust is heard.

            H. D. Thoreau, Journal 15 June (1997) vol. V. 96
         2. 1884

            > The bats were seen flitting with thin z-like cry high up over the waterside.

            R. W. Buchanan, New Abelard i
         3. 1893

            > The oars rip out and go z-zzp all along the line.

            R. Kipling, Many Inventions 103
         4. 1902

            > The rhythmical z-z-z! z-z-z! [of the saw].

            S. E. White, Blazed Trail ii. 11
         5. 1909

            > He had a way of drawing air in at times through his teeth that gave a whispering zest to his speech. It's a sound I can only represent as a soft Zzzz.

            H. G. Wells, Tono-Bungay (U.K. edition) i. ii. 67
         6. 1909

            > He meditated for a time and Zzzzed softly.

            H. G. Wells, Tono-Bungay (U.K. edition) iii. ii. 326
         7. 1924

            > Z-z-z (buzzing, or snoring).

            Dialect Notes vol. 5 259
         8. 1951

            > A spark danced between two terminals, a filament snake spat an irate, ‘Zzzt!’

            Blue Book Magazine January 25/1
         9. 1966

            > Hiccup, jerk, zzzzzz, snort.

            L. Cohen, Beautiful Losers i. 16
         10. 1967

             > Lola: (makes buzzing noise) Zzzzzzz.

             V. C. Welburn, Johnny so Long ii. i. 46
         11. 1975

             > David sits in the chair, puts his arms on the armrests, presses his neck against the back of the chair, and moves his feet together. ‘Zzzz,’ he says, and his head falls forward.

             New Yorker 21 April 36/3
         12. 1976

             > The zzzzz-noise of the electric hare gliding past the opening traps grabs everyone's attention.

             Cambridge Independent Press 16 December ii. 3/2
         13. 1983

             > Once you have hit on a commercial product you just go on producing more of the same, over and..zzzz..over and..zzzz..over and..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

             Private Eye 4 November 6/2
         14. 1984

             > We suspect public interest..more nearly resembles a cartoonist's depiction of a man sawing wood—ZZZZZZZZZ.

             Wall Street Journal 9 October 28/2
         15. 1984

             > Zzzzing off for forty winks on a regular basis may not sound much like Action Man stuff, but for Alex Gardner it's the most exciting part of the day.

             Oxford Star 29–30 November 19/3
         1. buzzing 1495–
            A sibilant humming.
         2. beming a1522
            Trumpeting; transferred noisy buzzing.
         3. fuzzing 1676
         4. bumble 1834–
            A buzzing or humming noise. Cf. bumbling, n.¹
         5. Z-ing 1852–
            Used (usually repeated) to represent a buzzing sound; also conventionally representing the sound of snoring. Hence Z-ing n., and as v. intransitive…
         6. zizz 1860–
            A buzzing or whizzing sound, such as that made by the rapid motion of a wheel; (also) a movement accompanied by such a sound.
         7. zizzing 1884–
            A buzzing or whizzing sound; movement or activity accompanied by such a sound. Also figurative.
         8. zinging 1921–
            A sharp, high-pitched ringing, buzzing, or whining sound.
         9. tizziness 1976–
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. Z 1893–
            Used (usually repeated) to represent a buzzing sound; also conventionally representing the sound of snoring. Hence Z-ing n., and as v. intransitive…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. snort c1386–1680
            To snore; to sleep heavily or sluggishly. Obsolete.
         2. snore c1440–
            To make harsh or noisy sounds in sleep by breathing through the open mouth or through the mouth and nose; to breathe in this manner during sleep…
         3. Z 1909–
            Used (usually repeated) to represent a buzzing sound; also conventionally representing the sound of snoring. Hence Z-ing n., and as v. intransitive…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. Z 1924–
            Used (usually repeated) to represent a buzzing sound; also conventionally representing the sound of snoring. Hence Z-ing n., and as v. intransitive…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. I.4.b.
         1963–
         In colloquial phrase to catch some z's and variants, to get some sleep (where z represents the sound of snoring). U.S.
         1. 1963

            > An onomatopoetic construction reported four times is get some Z's... Variants occurring once were: bagging Z's, copping some Z's, cutting Z's, and knocking out Z's.

            American Speech vol. 38 174
         2. 1973

            > Got to go..cop me some z's.

            A. Dundes, Mother Wit 238
         3. 1977

            > All Harvey wanted..was to pop his Sominex and catch a few z's.

            C. McFadden, Serial (1978) xxxii. 71/1
         U.S. English colloquial and slang
         1. sleep Old English–
            To take repose by the natural suspension of consciousness; to be in the state of sleep; to slumber. Also occasionally, to fall asleep. to sleep rough…
         2. swother Old English–
            intransitive. To sleep, slumber; also, to swoon.
         3. lib 1567–1859
            intransitive. To sleep.
         4. peep 1699
            intransitive. slang. To sleep. Obsolete.
         5. caulk 1818–
            Nautical slang. intransitive. To sleep.
         6. to pound one's ear (also pillow) 1894–
            transitive. slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). to pound one's ear (also pillow): to sleep.
         7. flop 1907–
            spec. To sleep. slang (originally U.S.).
         8. to catch some z's 1963–
            In colloquial phrase to catch some z's and variants, to get some sleep (where z represents the sound of snoring). U.S.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
2. II.
   Symbolic uses.
   1. II.5.
      1660–
      Mathematics. Used as the symbol for the third of a set of unknown or variable quantities (the first and second being denoted by x and y); spec. in Analytical Geometry of three dimensions, for a quantity measured in the direction of the third axis of coordinates (hence called the †axis of z, now always z-axis; also transferred).
      For the history see X n. II.3.
      1. 1660

         > Note alwayes the given quantities or numbers with Consonants, and those which are sought with Vowels, or else the given quantities with the former letters in the Alphabet, and the sought with the last sort of letters, as z y x, &c. lest you make a confusion in your work.

         J. Moore, Arithmetick ii. i. §19. 16 (Algebra)
      2. 1709

         > Let y = As the Abscissa, and z = SP, put x = Aa the Distance between the two Semi-ordinates; which we suppose to be infinitely near each other.

         J. Ward, Young Mathematician's Guide (1713) iv. iii. 380
      3. 1929

         > The z-axis coincides with the crystallographic c-axis of 3-fold symmetry, the y-axis is ⊥ to a face of the hexagonal first order prism, and, in dextro crystals, the + direction of the x-axis is outward through one of the faces..of the trigonal pyramid.

         International Crit. Tables (National Research Council U.S.) vol. VI. 211/1
      4. 1967

         > Plug-in markers offer not only variable band~width, but also Z-axis or pulse-type marking.

         Electronics 6 March 2 (advertisement)
      geometry
      1. X 1660–
         In Algebra and Higher Mathematics used as the symbol for an unknown or variable quantity (or for the first of such quantities, the others being…
      2. Z 1660–
         Mathematics. Used as the symbol for the third of a set of unknown or variable quantities (the first and second being denoted by x and y); spec. in…
      3. Y 1728–
         Mathematics. Used to denote the second of a set of unknown or variable quantities (the first being denoted by x); spec. in Geometry, the symbol…
      4. abscissa 1756–
         In Cartesian coordinates: the distance of a point from the y-axis, measured parallel to the x-axis; the x-coordinate of a point. Formerly also…
      5. ordinate 1855–
         In Cartesian coordinates: the distance of a point from the x-axis, measured parallel to the y-axis; the y-coordinate of a point. Formerly also: a…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Y axis 1875–
      2. axis of x 1885–
         In Algebra and Higher Mathematics used as the symbol for an unknown or variable quantity (or for the first of such quantities, the others being…
      3. y-axis 1885–
         Mathematics. Used to denote the second of a set of unknown or variable quantities (the first being denoted by x); spec. in Geometry, the symbol…
      4. x-axis 1886–
         In Algebra and Higher Mathematics used as the symbol for an unknown or variable quantity (or for the first of such quantities, the others being…
      5. z-axis 1929–
         Mathematics. Used as the symbol for the third of a set of unknown or variable quantities (the first and second being denoted by x and y); spec. in…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. II.6.
      1798–
      Used abstractly for the name of a person or thing: cf. X n. II.3a, II.3c, Y n. 5.
      1. 1798

         > The names designated by the letters W. X. Y. Z. in the following copies of letters from the Envoys of the United States to the French Republic.

         Correspondence Pinckney, Marshall & Gerry 23
      2. 1833

         > Palmer musters the Z.'s [sc. Establishment men] in great force against the tracts, and some Evangelicals.

         J. H. Newman, Letter to Froude 13 November
      3. 1848

         > Lord X, the Marquis of Y, and Baron Z.

         J. Hannay, Biscuits & Grog 109
      4. 1873

         > X won't be preached to along with Y and Z and Q; that won't do X any good, for he thinks it is all meant for Y, Z, and Q.

         H. Drummond, New Evangelism & Other Address (1899) 199
      5. 1880

         > Mr. X. pranced in, in his long night garment, with a candle, young Z. after him with another candle.

         ‘M. Twain’, Tramp Abroad xiii. 121
      6. 1901

         > You feel obliged to ask the X's, the Y's, and the Z's from duty, and so you do... This is the kind of assortment that arrives: Papa X, Mamma X, and two girl X'es; Papa Y, Mamma Y, and Master and Miss Y; Papa Z, Mamma Z, Aunt Z, and Midlle. Z—such a party!

         E. Glyn, Visits of Elizabeth (1906) 70
      1. Y 1765–
         Used in abstract reasoning for the name of a person or thing (usually in connection with X). Also Y.Z., used as the initials of a person remaining…
      2. X 1797–
         Put for a person's name when unknown or left undetermined. Also X. Y. (See also II.5.)
      3. Z 1798–
         Used abstractly for the name of a person or thing: cf. X, n. II.3a, II.3c, Y, n. 5.
      4. X 1808–
         XYZ: used to denote some thing or person unknown or undetermined (cf. II.3).
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. II.7.
      1842–
      Used, like the other letters of the alphabet, to denote position in a series.
      1. 1842

         > We dismounted with as much ease and comfort as though we had been escorted by the whole Metropolitan Force from A to Z inclusive.

         C. Dickens, American Notes vol. I. viii. 303
      2. 1860

         > A very Rabelais of the Z division.

         G. A. Sala, Baddington Peerage xxiv
      3. 1860

         > Z. 92 saw the striped bracelet of a sergeantcy in perspective.

         G. A. Sala, Baddington Peerage xxiv
      4. 1862

         > ‘Tell that to his worship,’ says the incredulous Z.

         W. M. Thackeray, Adventures of Philip vol. III. ix. 208
      5. 1867

         > He exchanged into the Z Battery going out to India.

         ‘Ouida’, Cecil Castlemaine's Gage 381
      mathematics
      1. number c1350–
         An arithmetical value assigned to something or someone, esp. to indicate position in a series, or for purposes of reference, identification, etc.
      2. extreme 1571–
         Mathematics. The first or last term of a ratio, series, or set of numbers. †extremes conjunct and extremes disjunct, terms formerly in use in…
      3. numero 1649–1791
         A numbered thing or article. Obsolete.
      4. infinitesimal 1655
         As ordinal: The ‘infiniteth’ member of a series. Obsolete. rare.
      5. No. 1753–
         Number. Frequently with following numeral.
      6. Z 1842–
         Used, like the other letters of the alphabet, to denote position in a series.
      7. majorant 1925–
         A function, set element, etc., that can be said to dominate, have precedence over, or constitute an upper bound for another mathematical entity of…
      8. seed 1972–
         Mathematics. A number or vector used as an initial value in an algorithm, esp. for the purpose of generating a sequence of pseudorandom numbers.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. II.8.
      1917–
      Genetics. Z is used to designate the male-determining sex chromosome in species in which the female rather than the male is the heterogametic sex.
      1. 1917

         > Since the female here [sc. in pigeons] is the heterozygotic sex (ZW) the results are such as would follow a direct influence on the sex chromosomes when the polar body is eliminated.

         T. H. Morgan in American Naturalist vol. 51 534
      2. 1925

         > The locus of the male tendency gene (M) is in the ‘Z-chromosome’ of which two are present in the male and one in the female.

         T. H. Morgan in American Naturalist vol. 59 133
      3. 1966

         > The phenotypic expression of plumage factors on the Z chromosome of birds seems to be a function, principally, of gene dosage.

         Lancet 24 December 1397/2
      4. 1971

         > In animals with female heterogamety, many authors refer to the chromosome which is present only in females as W and the paired sex chromosomes of males as ZZ.

         Nature 18 June 432/2
      5. 1976

         > In avian species, the heterogametic (Z W) female sex possesses W-linked histocompatibility antigen.

         Nature 17 June 598/2
      genetics
   5. II.9.
      1931–
      Physics. Z is the symbol for the atomic number of an element.
      1. 1931

         > We have taken Z = 8 (oxygen).

         Proceedings of Royal Society A. vol. 133 234
      2. 1962

         > Electrons such as those in the outer Van Allen radiation belt are easily stopped by a few millimeters of a low-Z material such as aluminum or magnesium.

         F. I. Ordway et al., Basic Astronautics xii. 502
      3. 1978

         > The next atom to build is lithium, Z = 3.

         P. W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry xiv. 438
      chemistry nuclear physics
      1. O 1889–
         Chemistry. In form o (usually italicized). = ortho-, comb. form affix 2b.
      2. O 1899–
         Chemistry. In form O and often italic. Prefixed (with hyphen) to the name of a substituent group, bond, reaction, etc., to indicate that the…
      3. Z 1931–
         Physics. Z is the symbol for the atomic number of an element.
      4. D 1947–
         Chemistry. As a small capital d: applied to (a compound having) a configuration about an asymmetric atom which is the mirror image of that…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Z 1931–
         Physics. Z is the symbol for the atomic number of an element.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   6. II.10.
      1935–
      Z is used to denote one of the two directions of twist in spinning (see quot. 1935); hence z-spun adj.
      1. 1935

         > A yard or cord has ‘S’ twist if, when held in a vertical position, the spirals conform in slope to the central portion of the letter ‘S’, and ‘Z’ twist if the spirals conform in slope to the central portion of the letter ‘Z’.

         Proceedings of American Society for Testing Materials vol. 35 i. 448
      2. 1964

         > In thigh spinning, for example, a right-handed person will almost always produce Z-spun yarn.

         H. Hodges, Artifacts ix. 128
      3. 1980

         > There are two types of twist possible in a yarn. One is an S twist, the other a Z twist.

         A. Fritz, Fibre of Clothing iii. 40
      spinning
      1. hard-twisted 1587–
         (Of rope, yarn, etc.) tightly twisted; cf. hard-spun, adj.
      2. soft-spun a1657–
         (Of yarn, etc.) loosely twisted in spinning; also (and in earliest use) figurative (cf. hard-spun, adj.).
      3. hard-spun 1677–
         (Of yarn, etc.) tightly twisted in spinning; also (and in earliest use) figurative.
      4. rough-spun 1701–
         Of yarn, fabric, etc.: crudely or roughly spun.
      5. z-spun 1935–
         Z is used to denote one of the two directions of twist in spinning (see quot. 1935); hence z-spun adj.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Z 1935–
         Z is used to denote one of the two directions of twist in spinning (see quot. 1935); hence z-spun adj.
      2. false twist 1960–
         (See quot. 1960), also attributive; whence false-twist v. intr. and false-twisting participial adj.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   7. II.11.
      1967–
      Particle Physics. Z is the symbol of a heavy, uncharged vector boson that forms a triplet with the two Ws.
      1. 1967

         > The only unequivocal new predictions made by this model have to do with the couplings of the neutral intermediate meson Zμ.

         S. Weinberg in Physical Review Letters vol. 19 1265/2
      2. 1967

         > Our Zμ and Wμ mesons get their mass from the spontaneous breaking of the symmetry.

         S. Weinberg in Physical Review Letters vol. 19 1266/1
      3. 1971

         > This procedure..resulted in a model involving electrons, electron-type neutrinos, charged intermediate bosons (Wμ), neutral intermediate bosons (Zμ), [etc.].

         S. Weinberg in Physical Review Letters vol. 27 1688
      4. 1977

         > The family of intermediate vector bosons, of which the photon is a member, is believed to contain one heavy charged particle and its anti~particle, called the W+ and W−, and one even heavier neutral particle, called the Z°.

         Dædalus Fall 32
      5. 1982

         > The heavy W and Z bosons..can be produced in pp reactions.

         Nature 23 September 295/2
      6. 1983

         > CERN physicists find the Z particle.

         New Scientist 12 May 355 (heading)
      7. 1983

         > This resulted in a total of six examples of the Z particle (four decaying into e+e− and two into μ+μ−) and 52 W± particles.

         Nature 25 August 686/2
      particle physics
      1. Z 1967–
         Particle Physics. Z is the symbol of a heavy, uncharged vector boson that forms a triplet with the two Ws.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zɛd/
zed

### U.S. English

/zi/
zee

####

##### 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 /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### 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 /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### 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

## Initialisms

1. 1.
   See also Z band n., Z line n.
   1. ZAPU, n. 1961–
      Zimbabwe African People's Union.
   1. ZANU, n. 1963–
      Zimbabwe African National Union.
   1. ZPG, n. 1970–
      Zero population growth.
   1. Z-bed, n. 1973–
      A type of occasional bed with a three-part metal…
   1. ZBB, n. 1976–
      Zero-base(d) budgeting.
   1. Z-DNA, n. 1979–
      DNA in which the double helix has a left-handed…
2. 2.
   In combinations containing the abbreviation Z followed by a word.
   1. Z-day, n. 1925–
      = zero day, n. 1.
   1. Z-car, n. 1961–
      A police patrol car (after the title of a popular…

Z, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

Z, n. was last modified in June 2025.