Revised 2024
† zanyshipnoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zanyship mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zanyship. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1830s.
Where does the noun zanyship come from?
Earliest known use
mid 1700s
The earliest known use of the noun zanyship is in the mid 1700s.
OED's earliest evidence for zanyship is from 1766, in a diary entry by John Adams, president of the United States of America.
zanyship is formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zany n., ‑ship suffix.
Nearby entries
- zanella, n.1876–
- zanily, adv.1936–
- zaniness, n.1933–
- Zante, n.1615–
- Zantedeschia, n.1836–
- ZANU, n.1963–
- zany, n. & adj.1582–
- zany, v.1602–1894
- zanyish, adj.1843–
- zanyism, n.1823–
- zanyship, n.1766–1839
- Zanzibari, n. & adj.1882–
- zap, n.1968–
- zap, v.1942–
- zap, int.1929–
- Zapata, n.1962–
- zapateado, n.1845–
- Zapatism, n.1911–
- Zapatismo, n.1913–
- Zapatist, n. & adj.1911–
- Zapatista, n. & adj.1911–
Etymology
Summary
Formed within English, by derivation.
Meaning & use
Obsolete. rare.
- 1766–1839The state or condition of being a zany (in various senses of zany n.).
- 1766
Y. Z. and H. had attacked him, about Idleness and familiar Spirits, and Zanyship.
J. Adams, Diary 7 January (1961) vol. I. 287 - 1839
His superiority in military tactics to Sir Arthur Wellesley, his connection with Beau Brummell, and his complete and unmitigated Zanyship as it appeared in every act of his life, were all faithfully set forth.
Satirist 24 November 4/3
the mind operation of the mind lack of understanding foolishness, folly absurdity, incongruity [nouns]- wantonnessc1405Foppishness, affectation. Obsolete.
- absurdity1529–The quality or state of being extremely unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate, or of arousing amusement or derision.
- monstruousness1545–= monstrousness, n.
- impertinency1573–1847The fact or quality of being inappropriate, incongruous, or irrational; absurdity; triviality; = impertinence, n. 2b. Obsolete.
- ridiculousness1573–The state or quality of being ridiculous; absurdity.
- monstrousness1574–The quality of being monstrous (in various senses of the adjective); hugeness, enormity; dreadfulness; †unnaturalness (obsolete).
- absurd1581–With the. That which is absurd; absurdity.
- absurdness1582–= absurdity, n. 3.
- incongruity1597–Want of accordance with what is reasonable or fitting; unsuitableness, inappropriateness, absurdity.
- fancy1598–1823Fantasticalness. Obsolete.
- delirium1599–Irrational, deluded, or absurd thought, speech, or behaviour; delusion, absurdity. Also: an absurd, irrational, or deluded belief or remark.
- monstruosity1604= monstrosity, n. (in various senses).
- absurdum1606–An absurd or illogical conclusion; (also) an absurd state or condition. Cf. reductio ad absurdum, n.
- foppishness1611–
- impertinence1616–1823The fact or quality of being inappropriate, incongruous, or irrational; action or behaviour of this nature; inappropriateness, incongruity…
- nonsense1630–Absurdity, nonsensicalness. With of.
- impertinentness1645–71
- irrationality1647–The quality of not being guided by, or not being in accordance with, reason; absurdity of thought or action.
- monstrosity1651–The condition or fact of being repulsively unnatural or outrageously or offensively wrong.
- nonsensicality1652–The fact or quality of being nonsensical; an instance of this, a nonsensical thing.
- ridicule1668–The quality or fact of being ridiculous; ridiculousness, absurdity. With of. Now rare.
- ridicule1672–1858The quality or fact of being ridiculous; ridiculousness, absurdity. Without construction. Obsolete.
- nonsensicalness1674–The fact or quality of being nonsensical, nonsensicality.
- maggotry1706–31Foolishness, absurdity. Obsolete.
- preposterousness1727The quality of being preposterous; †inversion of the natural or rational order (obsolete); perversity; unreasonableness; absurdity.
- zanyship1766–1839The state or condition of being a zany (in various senses of zany, n.).
- ridiculosity1773A ridiculous thing. Also: the state or quality of being ridiculous; ridiculousness.
- drollness1823–
- stultification1832–The action of stultify, v., the state of being stultified; an instance of this.
- nonsensity1834–= nonsensicality, n.
- farcicality1849–Farcical quality; an instance of this.
- cockeyedness1858–