zebra, n.

zebra
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zebra_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zebranoun

## Earlier version

- zebra, n. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zebra mean?

There are ten meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zebra, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

zebra has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

costume (1810s) textiles (1820s) birds (1870s) fish (1900s) sport (1970s)

### How common is the noun zebra?

About 1occurrence per million words in modern written English

1760 | 0.17
1770 | 0.26
1780 | 0.48
1790 | 0.53
1800 | 0.44
1810 | 0.33
1820 | 0.29
1830 | 0.33
1840 | 0.42
1850 | 0.49
1860 | 0.62
1870 | 0.6
1880 | 0.75
1890 | 0.8
1900 | 0.94
1910 | 0.88
1920 | 0.87
1930 | 0.75
1940 | 0.71
1950 | 0.67
1960 | 0.75
1970 | 0.8
1980 | 0.9
1990 | 0.98
2000 | 1.1
2010 | 1.1

### How is the noun zebra pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɛbrə/
ZEB-ruh
/ˈziːbrə/
ZEE-bruh

#### U.S. English

/ˈzibrə/
ZEE-bruh

### Where does the noun zebra come from?

Earliest known use

late 1500s

The earliest known use of the noun zebra is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for zebra is from 1597, in a translation by Abraham Hartwell.

zebra is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Italian. Partly a borrowing from Portuguese.

Etymons: Italian zebra; Portuguese zebra, zevra.

### Nearby entries

1. zeal-quenching, adj. 1688–1877
2. zeal-scoffing, adj. 1605
3. zeal-transported, adj. a1644–59
4. zeal-worthy, adj. 1797
5. zea maize, n. 1811–
6. zearalanol, n. 1966–
7. zearalenone, n. 1966–
8. zeatin, n. 1963–
9. zeaxanthin, n. 1929–
10. Zebedist, n. 1574
11. zebra, n.1597–
12. zebra caterpillar, n. 1841–
13. zebra crossing, n. 1934–
14. zebra danio, n. 1917–
15. zebraed, adj. 1806–
16. zebra finch, n. 1868–
17. zebrafish, n. 1771–
18. zebraic, adj. 1858–
19. zebra marking, n. 1854–
20. zebra moray, n. 1933–
21. zebra mule, n. 1841–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Italian. Partly a borrowing from Portuguese.
Etymons: Italian zebra; Portuguese zebra, zevra.
< (i) Italian zebra (1591 in the passage translated in quot. 1597),

and its etymon (ii) Portuguese zebra, zevra (1578 in the work ultimately underlying quot. 1653), apparently a transferred use of zevra…
< (i) Italian zebra (1591 in the passage translated in quot. 1597),

and its etymon (ii) Portuguese zebra, zevra (1578 in the work ultimately underlying quot. 1653), apparently a transferred use of zevra, zevro kind of feral horse of the Iberian peninsula (12th cent.; compare note) < an unattested post-classical Latin form *eciferus < classical Latin equiferus wild or feral horse (Pliny) < equus horse (see hippo- comb. form) + ferus wild (see feral adj.1).

### Notes

Compare Spanish cebra, cebro feral Iberian horse (13th cent. as zebra, zebro, and ezebra), cebra zebra (1611 or earlier; cognate with the Portuguese word), and the later borrowings French zèbre (1610; also 1628 as zeure in the passage translated in quot. 1653), Dutch zebra (1596), German Zebra (late 17th cent.), and also scientific Latin zebra, specific name (Linnaeus 1735).
The feral horses of the Iberian peninsula appear to have become rare or extinct in the early modern period. They are reported to have been partially striped.
Former suggestion
The word was formerly sometimes believed to be < an African language, probably based on early reports of the name being used by the inhabitants of the Kongo region (e.g. H. Ludolf 1681, in the passage paraphrased in quot. 1682); however, this is more likely to refer to the language of the Portuguese settlers in the region.
Variant forms
In the isolated early plural form zebrae after the Latin plural of feminine nouns ending in ‑a; the regular plurals in Spanish and Portuguese are formed with ‑s (as in English).
Forms with final ‑e reflect partial transmission via French in the 17th cent.
The form zembra is apparently originally based on a misreading; the Latin text paraphrased in quot. 1682 cites a local name in the form zebra (probably Portuguese: see above).

## Meaning & use

1. I.
   The animal.
   1. I.1.
      1597–
      Any of several horse-like African equids of the genus Equus, having a whitish coat striped with bars of black and an erect mane.
      Many kinds of zebra have been described, but they are now considered to belong to just three species. The plains zebra, E. quagga (formerly E. burchellii), of which the extinct quagga was a subspecies, is the commonest and most widespread.
      Grévy's zebra, mountain zebra: see the first element.
      1. 1597

         > There breedeth likewise in this Countrey another Creature, which they call a Zebra [Italian Zebra], commonly founde also in certaine Prouinces of Barbary and Africa.

         A. Hartwell, translation of D. Lopes, Rep. Kingdome of Congo i. ix. 73
      2. 1600

         > The Zebra or Zabra of this countrey [sc. Congo] being about the bignes of a mule, is a beast of incomparable swiftnes.

         J. Pory, Gen. Descr. Afr. 39 in translation of J. Leo Africanus, Geographical Historie of Africa
      3. 1625

         > Holding in each hand a Zeueras, or wilde horses tayle. [margin]Zebra.

         S. Purchas, Pilgrimes vol. II. vii. iii. 977
      4. 1638

         > Apes, Baboons,..Zebrae, Wolves, Foxes.

         T. Herbert, Some Yeares Travels (revised edition) 14
      5. 1653

         > Some applied themselves..to the pursuing of Tygers, Rhinocerots, Ounces, Zevres.

         H. Cogan, translation of F. M. Pinto, Voyages & Adventures lv. 216
      6. 1682

         > A Beast called Zecora or Zembra.

         Weekly Memorials for Ingenious (Faithorne & Kersey) 23 January 15
      7. 1735

         > A Zeura or Wild-Ass, a Creature of large Size, and admirable Beauty.

         S. Johnson, translation of J. Lobo, Voyage to Abyssinia 5
      8. 1776

         > Twenty zebras displayed their elegant forms and variegated beauty to the eyes of the Roman people.

         E. Gibbon, Decline & Fall vol. I. xii. 350
      9. 1857

         > The presence of the..zebra..is always a certain indication of water being within a distance of seven or eight miles.

         D. Livingstone, Missionary Travels South Africa iii. 56
      10. 1886

          > You might as well put a zebra in harness as Melenda into any kind of service.

          W. Besant, Children of Gibeon vol. II. ii. vi. 50
      11. 1921

          > He could even hear the nasal laugh of the zebra.

          Chambers's Journal March 178/1
      12. 1964

          > A boma..that would have held a herd of a hundred or more zebra.

          C. Willock, Enormous Zoo iii. 49
      13. 2008

          > This way the zebra could prevent overheating on a hot summer's day.

          L. Gutteridge, South Afr. Bushveld v. 69
      1. zebra 1597–
         Any of several horse-like African equids of the genus Equus, having a whitish coat striped with bars of black and an erect mane.
      2. dauw 1802–
         A South African species of zebra, Equus Burchellii, approaching the quagga in character.
      3. wild horse 1834–
         A horse not domesticated or broken in; esp. in phrases referring to a mode of punishment or torture (cf. quots. s.v. draw, v. I.i.8), and hence…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. II.
   A person, animal, or thing likened to a zebra in having or wearing stripes.
   1. 1. II.2.a.
         1778–
         Any of various animals, timber, and other natural objects having dark stripes. Frequently short for compound names (see Compounds C.2b, and zebra mussel n.).
         1. 1778

            > To be sold by auction..large and valuable Assortment of choice unmanufactured Mahogany, Zebra, Sattin, Tulip, and other Wood.

            St James's Chronicle 16–19 May 1/4
         2. 1811

            > There is also a rare kind [of agate] called the zebra, from its regular black bands upon a white ground.

            J. Pinkerton, Petralogy vol. II. 101
         3. 1815

            > Bulla Achatina, Broad-striped Zebra, or Pink-mouthed Chersina.

            E. J. Burrow, Elements of Conchology 200
         4. 1901

            > Howietoun still supplies..two-year-old ‘zebras’, a name given to a very beautiful hybrid between our English trout and the American char.

            Field 23 November 812/2
         5. 1966

            > Grey teal, Zebras, Black duck. Get some really good sport here.

            P. Cowan, Seed 141
         6. 2012

            > A few zebra mussels cling to the trap nets... But it seems the whitefish and zebras have reached a kind of stasis.

            National Fisherman March 25/3
         1. zebra 1778–
            Any of various animals, timber, and other natural objects having dark stripes. Frequently short for compound names (see compounds C.2b, and zebra…
         2. sergeant-major 1889–
            In other slang and colloquial uses.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. II.2.b.
         1879–
         The zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata.
         1. 1879

            > I once found nest upon nest built by a pair of Zebras, and they contained upwards of fifty eggs.

            C. W. Gedney, Foreign Cage Birds vol. II. viii. 40
         2. 1934

            > On leaving the nest young Zebras rather resemble adult hens.

            Foreigner April 88
         3. 1988

            > Zebras can tolerate a level of salinity in their drinking water as high as the salt content of sea water.

            Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 16 September (Great Outdoors Supplement) 3/5
         4. 2007

            > Today I rescued the spice finches from the cage with the zebra finches. The zebras are beautiful but aggressive.

            N. Hollander, Tales of Graceful Aging from Planet Denial v. 77
         birds
         1. firefinch 1783–
            Any of various African waxbills of the genus Lagonosticta and related genera (family Estrildidae), the males of which have predominantly red plumage.
         2. cutthroat 1790–
            A finch native to sub-Saharan Africa and popular as a cage bird, Amadina fasciata (family Estrildidae), having pale brown plumage with black…
         3. cutthroat sparrow 1790–
            The cutthroat finch, Amadina fasciata, the male of which has a bright red band across the cheeks and throat. Cf. cutthroat, n.² 1, cutthroat finch n.
         4. redhead 1816–
            Any of various other birds with a red or reddish head, or red markings on the head; esp. (a) British regional the pochard, Aythya ferina; (b) Nort…
         5. firetail 1845–
            Any of several Australasian waxbills of the genus Stagonopleura and related genera, having predominantly grey plumage with red upper tail coverts…
         6. fire-tailed finch 1845–
            = firetail, n. A.2.
         7. cutthroat finch 1859–
            A finch native to sub-Saharan Africa and popular as a cage bird, Amadina fasciata (family Estrildidae), having pale brown plumage with black…
         8. zebra finch 1868–
            A small Australasian waxbill with black and white stripes on the face, Taeniopygia guttata (family Estrildidae), popular as a cage bird.
         9. magpie finch 1869–
            An African mannikin of the genus Lonchura, esp. the bronze mannikin, L. cucullata.
         10. melba finch 1876–
             A small West African songbird, Pytilia melba (family Estrildidae), the male of which has a bright red face and tail, and a yellow breast. Also called…
         11. zebra 1879–
             The zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata.
         12. bluebill 1955–
             Any of several waxbills constituting the genus Spermophaga (family Estrildidae), which are native to sub-Saharan Africa and have thick bluish bills…
         13. blue-breast 2004–
             a. The bluethroat, Luscinia svecica (now rare); b. the blue-breasted cordon-bleu, Uraeginthus angolensis (family Estrildidae), a waxbill with a pale…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      3. II.2.c.
         1898–
         A nymphalid butterfly having black wings with white and yellow stripes, Heliconius charithonia, of South and Central America and the southern United States (more fully zebra butterfly, zebra longwing). Also (more fully Malayan zebra): a papilionid butterfly having white wings with black stripes, Graphium delesserti, of Southeast Asia.
         1. 1898

            > Heliconius charitonius..(The Yellow-barred Heliconian; The Zebra). This insect is a deep black, the fore wings crossed by three bands of yellow.

            W. J. Holland, Butterfly Book 92
         2. 1919

            > The caterpillar of the Zebra butterfly feeds on the little passion flower.

            Annual Rep. Board Regents Smithsonian Inst. 1917 402
         3. 1985

            > Graphium (Pathysa) delesserti... Common name: Zebra (251), Malayan Zebra (45).

            N. M. Collins & M. G. Morris, Threatened Swallowtail Butterfiles of World iii. 55
         4. 2010

            > The tropical butterfly house is home to rare species, including the zebra longwing from North and South America.

            Daily Telegraph (Nexis) 31 August (Features section) 30
      4. II.2.d.
         1905–
         South African. A sea bream of the eastern Atlantic, Diplodus cervinus, having a laterally compressed body with dark vertical stripes (also more fully zebra sea bream). Cf. zebrafish n. 1.
         1. 1905

            > A few fish are being taken from the Buffalo..silvers and grunters, and occasionally a small skate or zebra.

            H. E. B. Brooking in East London Daily Disp. (South Africa) 29 July 7
         2. 1951

            > Similarities to animals were responsible for the zebra, dassie and parrot fish.

            L. G. Green, Grow Lovely 91
         3. 1989

            > We have already found samples of marine fish such as butterfly fish, the strepie and zebra in the canals themselves.

            Weekend Post (Port Elizabeth) 23 December 5
         4. 2004

            > In 2000, fishermen caught a zebra sea bream, normally found off the West African coast, off Portland.

            Daily Telegraph 12 August 7/3
         fish South African English
         1. sheep's head 1676–
            A large and much esteemed food fish, Archosargus or Diplodus probatocephalus (Sargus ovis), abundant on the coasts of the United States. Also…
         2. stompneus 1705–
            Either of two edible fishes found off the coast of southern Africa, the red and silver Chrysoblephus gibbiceps or the silvery Rhabdosargus globiceps…
         3. melanure 1828–1909
            The saddled sea bream, Oblada melanura, a small silver Mediterranean fish with a dark band at the base of the tail.
         4. seventy-four 1852–
            Either of two very large sea breams of South African coastal waters, formerly prized as game fish: the red steenbras, Petrus rupestris, and (now…
         5. steentjie 1893–
            Either of two small marine fishes of the family Sparidæ, Spondyliosoma emarginatum or Sarpa salpa (= strepie, n.).
         6. zebra 1905–
            South African. A sea bream of the eastern Atlantic, Diplodus cervinus, having a laterally compressed body with dark vertical stripes (also more fully…
         7. sweet-lip 1934–
            Any of several marine fishes with prominent mouths, esp. an Australian food fish, Lethrinus chrysostomus, or a brightly coloured tropical fish of…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1. II.3.a.
         1819–
         A type of shawl, popular in the 19th cent., having a design consisting of patterned bands or stripes (more fully zebra shawl). Now historical.
         1. 1819

            > The richest French tissue scarfs..; fashionable square zebras..; beautiful imitation India scarfs.

            Morning Chronicle 3 November
         2. 1833

            > A peagreen Canton crape shawl, a Zebra shawl.

            Morning Post 4 October
         3. 1862

            > English muslins are preferred to those of India, and Cashmere shawls have given place to the Zebras of Glasgow and Manchester.

            J. L. Farley, Resources of Turkey vi. 61
         4. 1905

            > The poor swollen, painful right hand was wrapped in a corner of the zebra shawl.

            L. T. Meade, Good Luck vi. 95
         5. 1995

            > Jacquard Zebra Shawl. Late 1850s.

            P. Clabburn, Norwich Shawl 93 (caption)
         costume historical
         1. print 1679–
            A printed (usually cotton) fabric; a piece of such fabric; the pattern printed on the fabric. Also: a garment or other article made from printed…
         2. pompadour 1758–
            A pattern consisting of sprigs of flowers scattered on a white or pale ground; a fabric decorated with this or a similar pattern. Now rare.
         3. zebra 1819–
            A type of shawl, popular in the 19th cent., having a design consisting of patterned bands or stripes (more fully zebra shawl). Now historical.
         4. pinhead 1886–
            Cloth woven with a pattern of small dots or checks; a garment made of such cloth. Cf. sense B.1b.
         5. argyll 1890–
            A pattern (esp. on fabric) consisting of diamond shapes of various colours overlaid with contrasting diagonal stripes, based on the tartan of the…
         6. sponge bag trousers 1900–
            Chiefly British. Designating clothing having a very fine, muted black-and-white check pattern. Esp. in sponge bag trousers: men's wool trousers…
         7. tie-dye 1926–
            = tie-and-dye, n.; frequently attributive; also as v. transitive, to dye by this process; also absol.
         8. houndstooth 1936–
            A small irregular design of broken check. Also, a fabric of this design; a suit, coat, etc., of such fabric.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. shawl 1662–
            An article of dress worn by Asian people (commonly as a scarf, turban, or girdle), consisting of an oblong piece of a material manufactured in…
         2. zebra 1819–
            A type of shawl, popular in the 19th cent., having a design consisting of patterned bands or stripes (more fully zebra shawl). Now historical.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. II.3.b.
         1829–66
         † A fabric produced in Britain in the 19th cent., particularly for export to Turkey and the surrounding region, having a design of patterned bands or stripes. Chiefly as a count noun: a piece or type of this fabric. Cf. Compounds C.1b. Obsolete.
         1. 1829

            > The peace with Russia and Turkey has given a new stimulus to the manufacture of zebras, upwards of one thousand weavers, we believe, having been engaged at this fabric, since the termination of hostilities.

            Standard 9 June 1/5
         2. 1833

            > England, like a large haberdashery and hardware store, displays to the longing eyes of the peasantry of the world, calicoes, long cloths, ginghams, zebras, scissors and razors.

            D. Urquhart, Turkey & its Resources vii. 144
         3. 1850

            > Various fabrics have..been manufactured for the English and foreign markets, including zebras for Anatolia, Syria, and the caravan trade of the East.

            Chambers's Edinburgh Journal 10 August 85/1
         4. 1866

            > A kind of fabrics called ‘zebras’, with striped and other coloured patterns on each side, were woven in the Jacquard harness loom.

            Times 1 December 11/4
         textiles
         1. rencian a1300
            A kind of cloth associated with or (perhaps) made in Rheims.
         2. apple bloom 1339–
            a. A type of cloth, perhaps resembling apple blossom in colour or pattern; b. the flower of an apple tree; apple flowers collectively.
         3. maidenhair 1359–1590
            A kind of textile fabric. Obsolete.
         4. cary c1394
            Some textile fabric. Cf. care, n.²
         5. spinal 1399–1431
            Some textile fabric. Obsolete.
         6. whitefolding 1423
            White cloth of some kind (not identified), perhaps used for wrapping.
         7. care 1429–40
            Some kind of cloth. Cf. cary, n.
         8. radevore c1430–50
            A kind of tapestry or cloth.
         9. queen's cloth c1450–
            A type of cloth; (also) spec. fine cotton shirting used in the West Indies.
         10. basselan 1453
             Some kind of fabric.
         11. Brunswick 1480–1813
             A kind of textile fabric originally imported from Brunswick, Germany; an article made from this fabric. Obsolete.
         12. ragmas 1480–
             A type of cloth (see quot. 1960).
         13. haberjet c1503–1865
             A kind of cloth named in Magna Carta, and in some ancient documents.
         14. redvore a1525
             A device or contrivance used in weaving.
         15. stockbridge 1526–82
             Some kind of cloth.
         16. demigraine 1540–68
             Name of some textile fabric.
         17. fledge 1542–79
             Apparently the designation of some textile material. Also attributive.
         18. pinned white 1552–1600
             Designating a kind of cloth. Esp. in pinned strait, pinned white.
         19. satin-reverses 1554–
             In plural. Chiefly in satin-reverses. A type of figured satin, usually made of worsted. Cf. russel, n.² Now historical.
         20. beverneck 1567–
             Some fabric.
         21. scamato 1569–1687
             Some kind of textile fabric.
         22. messellawny 1604–1882
             A kind of textile fabric, perhaps a high-quality cotton material similar or identical to muslin.
         23. brogetie 1610
             Some kind of fabric.
         24. novato 1614–68
             A type of fabric (probably fustian), perhaps used primarily in dressmaking. Also as adj.
         25. fugeratta 1638
         26. barrateen 1689–
             Some kind of woven fabric.
         27. tamarine 1691
             Some kind of cloth.
         28. masquerade 1696–1860
             Originally and chiefly Scottish. A kind of textile fabric, perhaps usually a striped worsted. Obsolete.
         29. calandring 1697
             A kind of fabric.
         30. succatoon 1703–1825
             A kind of cloth.
         31. russerine 1710
             A kind of fabric (not identified).
         32. stade 1714
             Some textile fabric.
         33. chuckla 1721–25
             A fabric.
         34. long ell 1725–35
             long ell: a particular kind of cloth. Obsolete.
         35. slay 1745
             Some kind of fabric.
         36. vilderoy 1769
             The name of some fabric.
         37. succota 1780–96
             A kind of cloth.
         38. minorque 1794
             A woollen cloth resembling serge, manufactured in Picardy in the 18th cent.
         39. zebra 1829–66
             A fabric produced in Britain in the 19th cent., particularly for export to Turkey and the surrounding region, having a design of patterned bands or…
         40. grising 1866–
             The name of some fabric.
         41. Turkoman 1880–
             Usually in form Turcoman. A kind of fabric made of raw silk and consisting of closely woven strands of chenille crossed by a strong warp thread…
         42. cameline 1886–
             originally. A kind of fabric made (or supposed to be made) of camel's hair: cf. camlet, n. Also the trade name of a modern fabric.
         43. blousette 1894
             A type of cloth. Obsolete.
         44. lyocell 1990–
             A cellulosic fabric made from fibres spun directly from a solution of wood pulp; such fibres collectively. Cf. Tencel, n.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. II.4.
      Applied to a person.
      1. II.4.a.
         1882–
         U.S. colloquial. A prison inmate or convict wearing a uniform made of a (typically black and white) striped fabric; (also) the uniform itself. Cf. zebra suit n. Now chiefly historical.
         1. 1882

            > A ‘Zebra’ was a humorous nickname for a convict.

            G. A. Sala, American Revisited vol. I. xviii. 255
         2. 1895

            > At present I understand that he is in limbo, wearing the famous ‘zebra’—the penitentiary dress.

            Harper's Weekly 10 August 753/3
         3. 1909

            > When folks come through here to look at the zebras, we ain't going to point out a man to them so as they'll know him on the street after he gets out.

            McClure's Magazine January 261/2
         4. 2001

            > Inmates are wearing zebras from Maine to Mississippi.

            Kokomo (Indiana) Tribune 19 July c3/3
         5. 2003

            > Inmates with four stripes were considered incorrigibles and were called zebras for the many stripes on their uniforms.

            G. Cheli, Sing Sing Prison ii. 20
         costume U.S. English colloquial and slang historical
         1. prison a1225–1616
            A prisoner. Obsolete.
         2. prisoner c1384–
            A person who is kept in prison or in custody; spec. one who is legally committed to prison as the result of a legal process, either as punishment for…
         3. enpresoné c1425
            A prisoner.
         4. bird 1580–
            slang. A prisoner; a habitual offender. Frequently with modifying word. Cf. sense IV.19. Now rare except in jailbird, n.
         5. warder 1584–1629
            Scottish. A person in ward, a prisoner. Obsolete. rare.
         6. canary bird 1593–
            slang (originally cant). A prisoner; (also) †a habitual offender, a criminal, a rogue (obsolete). Cf. canary, n.⁵ 2b, jailbird, n. Now rare.
         7. penitential a1633–1828
            A person performing or undergoing penance, a penitent. Also humorously: a prisoner. Obsolete.
         8. convict 1786–
            spec. A condemned criminal serving a sentence of penal servitude.
         9. chum 1819–
            One who shares apartments with another or others, one who lodges or resides in the same room or rooms: ‘a chamber-fellow, a term used in the…
         10. lag 1819–
             A convict who has been transported or sentenced to penal servitude.
         11. lagger 1819–
             A convict undergoing or having undergone penal servitude.
         12. new chum 1819–65
             Chiefly Australian. A prisoner newly admitted to a jail or prison ship; a newly arrived convict. Obsolete.
         13. nut-brown 1835–40
             Australian. A convict. Obsolete.
         14. collegian 1837–
             slang. An inmate of a prison. Cf. college, n. 8.
         15. canary 1840–
             slang. gen. A prisoner; (originally) †a habitual offender, a jailbird (obsolete). Cf. canary bird, n. 2a. rare.
         16. lock-up prisoner 1846–
             A prisoner in a lock-up (lock-up, n. 1).
         17. Sydney duck 1873–
             A convict.
         18. forty 1879–
             A ‘crook’, thief, sharper (in quot. 1879, a convict). Australian slang.
         19. zebra 1882–
             Applied to a person. U.S. colloquial. A prison inmate or convict wearing a uniform made of a (typically black and white) striped fabric; (also) the…
         20. con 1893–
             Criminals' slang. = convict, n.¹, conviction, n.
         21. yardbird 1956–
             A convict.
         22. zek 1968–
             Originally and chiefly in Russian-speaking contexts: a prisoner; a convict; (in early use) esp. a person held in a forced labour camp in the U.S.S.R.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. broad arrow 1827–
            spec. This mark as used, typically in a repeated pattern, on British prison uniforms to identify escapees. Now historical, or in stereotypical…
         2. zebra 1882–
            Applied to a person. U.S. colloquial. A prison inmate or convict wearing a uniform made of a (typically black and white) striped fabric; (also) the…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. regimentals 1838
            In plural. In extended use: prison uniform. Obsolete. rare.
         2. zebra suit 1853–
            A striped uniform worn by prison inmates or convicts; cf. zebra, n. II.4a.
         3. zebra 1882–
            Applied to a person. U.S. colloquial. A prison inmate or convict wearing a uniform made of a (typically black and white) striped fabric; (also) the…
         4. stripes 1887–
            plural. A prison uniform (with reference to the stripes with which it is patterned). U.S. slang.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. II.4.b.
         1972–
         Sport (North American colloquial). A referee, umpire, or other official who typically wears a black and white striped top.
         1. 1972

            > Who I worry about, mainly, in pro football are the zebras. The officials.

            D. Jenkins, Semi-tough iii. 231
         2. 1997

            > The zebra's main concern will be to determine whether or not there was goalie interference on the play.

            Village Voice (New York) 3 June 117/1
         3. 2016

            > If the zebras are going to throw more flags to the point they're pulling out their shoulders, how about letting some of the lesser stuff go?

            National Post (Canada) (Nexis) 1 November (Sports section) b8
         sport North American English colloquial and slang
         1. discoverer c1450–1548
            A judge at a tournament. Obsolete.
         2. judge 1538–
            A person who decides the result of a public competition or contest; an umpire.
         3. stickler 1538–
            A moderator or umpire at a wrestling match or other contest, appointed to ensure fair play, and to part the combatants when they have fought enough…
         4. trier 1607–
            An umpire in sports or games. Now dialect.
         5. umpire 1714–
            In games or contests: One to whose decision all doubtful points are referred, and who sees that the rules of the game or sport are not broken. Cf. r…
         6. referee 1822–
            Sport. An official who supervises a game or match in order to ensure that the rules are adhered to. Cf. umpire, n.
         7. ref 1890–
            = referee, n. 3.
         8. ump 1915–
            = umpire, n., spec. in baseball.
         9. president 1961–
            An appointed or elected head of any gathering, who presides over meetings and proceedings. The referee or official in charge of certain sporting…
         10. zebra 1972–
             Applied to a person. Sport (North American colloquial). A referee, umpire, or other official who typically wears a black and white striped top.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. II.5.
      1951–
      Chiefly British (originally colloquial). Short for zebra crossing n.
      1. 1951

         > Now if only we can find a Zebra, we can sit down and relax!

         O. Lancaster in Daily Express 15 December 1/5 (cartoon caption)
      2. 1968

         > Outside, on the road, trucks wait for me to cross a zebra.

         Listener 15 August 201/3
      3. 2004

         > Zebras are implemented in the traffic system to give priority to pedestrians.

         H. M. Jagtman, Road Safety by Design ii. vi. 92
      British English colloquial and slang
      1. street crossing 1826–
      2. crosswalk 1904–
         North American and Western Australian. A pedestrian crossing. Also figurative.
      3. pedestrian crossing 1933–
         A marked section of roadway where pedestrians crossing the road are given precedence over vehicular traffic.
      4. Belisha crossing 1934–
         Used attributively with reference to officially recognized pedestrian crossings in the United Kingdom… Belisha crossing: = zebra crossing, n.; also…
      5. zebra crossing 1934–
         A pedestrian crossing marked by broad light and dark stripes running parallel to the kerb from one side of a road to the other, at which (in most…
      6. overcross 1950–
         An overpass, a flyover. Also: a pedestrian crossing, esp. one in the form of a bridge.
      7. zebra 1951–
         Chiefly British (originally colloquial). Short for zebra crossing, n.
      8. ped xing 1961–
         On road signs: pedestrian crossing.
      9. panda crossing 1962–
         In extended use, with reference to the black-and-white markings of a giant panda. In the U.K.: a type of pedestrian crossing distinguished by…
      10. pelican crossing 1966–
          More fully pelican crossing. In the U.K.: a pedestrian crossing having traffic lights activated by pedestrians.
      11. puffin 1992–
          More fully puffin crossing. A type of pedestrian crossing at which traffic lights are controlled in part by sensors which detect the presence of…
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɛbrə/
ZEB-ruh
/ˈziːbrə/
ZEE-bruh

### U.S. English

/ˈzibrə/
ZEE-bruh

####

##### 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

## Forms

### Inflections

Plural: unchanged, zebras

### Variant forms

1. 1500s–
   zebra
2. 1600s
   sebra, zabra, zebrae (plural), zebre, zembra, zeuera, zevra, zevre
3. 1600s–1700s
   zeura

## Frequency

zebra typically occurs about once per million words in modern written English.

zebra is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zebra, n., 1760–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1760 | 0.17
1770 | 0.26
1780 | 0.48
1790 | 0.53
1800 | 0.44
1810 | 0.33
1820 | 0.29
1830 | 0.33
1840 | 0.42
1850 | 0.49
1860 | 0.62
1870 | 0.6
1880 | 0.75
1890 | 0.8
1900 | 0.94
1910 | 0.88
1920 | 0.87
1930 | 0.75
1940 | 0.71
1950 | 0.67
1960 | 0.75
1970 | 0.8
1980 | 0.9
1990 | 0.98
2000 | 1.1
2010 | 1.1

### Frequency of zebra, 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 | 1.1
2018 | 1.2
2019 | 1.2
2020 | 1.2
2021 | 1.1
2022 | 1.1
2023 | 1.1
2024 | 1.1

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zebrawood, n. 1768–
   The striped wood of any of various tropical trees…

1. zebra rhomb, n. 1770–1844
   A mitre shell, Mitra paupercula, which has a dark…

1. zebrafish, n. 1771–
   Any of various perciform fishes with dark…

1. zebra-like, adj. 1772–

1. zebra skin, n. 1774–
   The skin or pelt of a zebra; (also) a striped…

1. zebra shark, n. 1804–
   A small carpet shark of the Indo-Pacific…

1. zebraed, adj. 1806–
   Having markings like those of a zebra; striped…

1. zebra spider, n. 1806–
   Any of several striped spiders; esp. a small…

1. zebra stripe, n. 1807–

1. zebra opossum, n. 1808–
   The thylacine or Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus…

1. zebra wolf, n. 1808–
   The thylacine or Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus…

1. zebrine, adj. a1810–
   Of, relating to, resembling, or characteristic of…

1. zebra-striped, adj. 1812–

1. zebra plant, n. 1826–
   Any of several plants which have conspicuously…

1. zebra-marked, adj. 1834–

1. zebra caterpillar, n. 1841–
   The striped larva of a North American noctuid…

1. zebra mule, n. 1841–
   A zebroid; spec. the offspring of a male zebra…

1. zebra mark, n. 1842–

1. mountain zebra, n. 1844–
   Any zebra occurring in mountainous country; spec…

1. zebra suit, n. 1853–
   A striped uniform worn by prison inmates or…

1. zebra marking, n. 1854–
   a. (Frequently in plural) stripes or markings…

1. zebra swallowtail, n. 1855–
   A large swallowtail butterfly having white wings…

1. zebra parakeet, n. 1856–
   The budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus.

1. zebra meat, n. 1857–

1. zebraic, adj. 1858–
   Relating to, resembling, or characteristic of, a…

1. zebra mussel, n. 1866–
   A small freshwater mussel with a striped pattern…

1. zebra finch, n. 1868–
   A small Australasian waxbill with black and white…

1. zebra poison, n. 1871–74
   Any of various South African tree spurges (genus…

1. zebroid, adj. & n. 1881–
   Having striped or banded markings resembling…

1. zebra rush, n. 1882–
   The ornamental cultivar 'Zebrinus' of the rush…

1. zebra woodpecker, n. 1884–
   Any of several American woodpeckers of the genus…

1. Grévy's zebra, n. 1891–
   A member of a species of zebra, Equus grevyi…

1. zebra rock, n. 1895–
   A form of dolomite rock showing narrow light and…

1. zebrule, n. 1899–
   The hybrid offspring of a male zebra and a female…

1. zebrano, n. 1908–
   More fully zebrano wood. The striped wood of any…

1. zebra danio, n. 1917–
   A small freshwater cyprinid fish with horizontal…

1. zebra print, n. & adj. 1932–
   a. n. A pattern, motif, etc., resembling the…

1. zebra moray, n. 1933–
   A moray eel with bold dark and white bands…

1. zebra crossing, n. 1934–
   A pedestrian crossing marked by broad light and…

1. zonkey, n. 1953–
   The offspring of a zebra and a donkey. Cf. zedonk, n.

1. zedonk, n. 1961–
   The hybrid offspring of a zebra and a donkey. Cf…

1. C.1.
   1. C.1.a.
      attributive, with the sense ‘of, relating to, or resembling (that of) a zebra’.
      1. zebra stripe, n. 1807–
      1. zebra mark, n. 1842–
      1. zebra meat, n. 1857–
   2. C.1.b.
      1787–1895
      † attributive or as adj. Designating a type of fabric woven with a design of bands or stripes, or an item made of such fabric; see sense II.3. Obsolete.
      1. 1787

         > The Queen wore a Zebra sattin, striped alternately with brown and white.

         Times 9 March 2/4
      2. 1851

         > Book muslin, Zebra dresses, pine dresses, bleached mulls, and gauze are dull of sale.

         Morning Chronicle 3 December 6/5
      3. 1860

         > Manufacture or production of ornamental fabrics (Zebra cloths).

         Subject-matter Index Patents 1854 298
      4. 1866

         > An action for an infringement of a patent for improvements in the manufacture of the printed zebra fabrics, largely exported to Persia and Turkey.

         Times 1 December 11/4
      5. 1895

         > Zebra Blankets 98c.

         Lawrence (Kansas) Gazette 14 November
      textiles
   3. C.1.c.
      Parasynthetic.
      1. zebra-striped, adj. 1812–
      1. zebra-marked, adj. 1834–
2. C.2.
   1. C.2.a.
      1802–
      General attributive. In the names of animals and plants with dark and light stripes.
      1. 1802

         > Zebra Frog... This appears to be..the largest of all the..slender-bodied Frogs.

         G. Shaw, General Zoology vol. III. 123
      2. 1815

         > Buccinum Rugosum, Zebra Helmet.

         E. J. Burrow, Elements of Conchology 201
      3. 1864

         > 1 Zebra Waxbill.

         Proceedings of Zoological Society 2 January 725
      4. 1907

         > Some children I know call this black and white warbler the little zebra bird.

         ‘N. Blanchan’, Birds Every Child should Know iv. 58
      5. 1921

         > It is no more wonderful than the zebra-orchid Sir Francis Younghusband found in his expedition to Tibet.

         Freeman 9 February 519/1
      6. 1974

         > The zebra frogs..have copious secretion which will not only irritate human hands but also will kill other frogs.

         W. T. Neill, Reptiles & Amphibians in Service of Man vi. 68
      7. 1981

         > The zebra sole (Zebrias zebra) has poison glands at the base of each fin ray.

         R. van der Elst & P. Borchert, Guide Common Sea Fishes Southern Africa 93/1
      8. 2002

         > In Zoology: animals from ant-eaters to zebra beetles including minibeasts, marsupial wolf and giant squid [on display].

         Times Educational Supplement 27 September (Going Places) 25/2 (advertisement)
   2. C.2.b.
      1. zebrawood, n. 1768–
         The striped wood of any of various tropical trees…
      1. zebra rhomb, n. 1770–1844
         A mitre shell, Mitra paupercula, which has a dark…
      1. zebra shark, n. 1804–
         A small carpet shark of the Indo-Pacific…
      1. zebra spider, n. 1806–
         Any of several striped spiders; esp. a small…
      1. zebra opossum, n. 1808–
         The thylacine or Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus…
      1. zebra wolf, n. 1808–
         The thylacine or Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus…
      1. zebra plant, n. 1826–
         Any of several plants which have conspicuously…
      1. zebra caterpillar, n. 1841–
         The striped larva of a North American noctuid…
      1. zebra swallowtail, n. 1855–
         A large swallowtail butterfly having white wings…
      1. zebra parakeet, n. 1856–
         The budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus.
      1. zebra poison, n. 1871–74
         Any of various South African tree spurges (genus…
      1. zebra rush, n. 1882–
         The ornamental cultivar 'Zebrinus' of the rush…
      1. zebra woodpecker, n. 1884–
         Any of several American woodpeckers of the genus…
      1. zebra danio, n. 1917–
         A small freshwater cyprinid fish with horizontal…
      1. zebra moray, n. 1933–
         A moray eel with bold dark and white bands…
3. C.3.
   1. zebra skin, n. 1774–
      The skin or pelt of a zebra; (also) a striped…
   1. zebra mule, n. 1841–
      A zebroid; spec. the offspring of a male zebra…
   1. zebra suit, n. 1853–
      A striped uniform worn by prison inmates or…
   1. zebra marking, n. 1854–
      a. (Frequently in plural) stripes or markings…
   1. zebra rock, n. 1895–
      A form of dolomite rock showing narrow light and…
   1. zebra print, n. & adj. 1932–
      a. n. A pattern, motif, etc., resembling the…
   1. zebra crossing, n. 1934–
      A pedestrian crossing marked by broad light and…

zebra, n. was revised in June 2018.

zebra, n. was last modified in June 2025.