zany, v.

zany
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zany_v%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2024

# † zanyverb

## Earlier version

- zany, v. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the verb zany mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the verb zany. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1890s.

### Where does the verb zany come from?

Earliest known use

early 1600s

The earliest known use of the verb zany is in the early 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for zany is from 1602, in the writing of John Marston, poet and playwright.

It is also recorded as a noun from the late 1500s.

zany is formed within English, by conversion.

Etymons: zany n.

### Nearby entries

1. Zamzummim, n. 1530–
2. Zande, n. 1873–
3. zander, n. 1854–
4. zanella, n. 1876–
5. zanily, adv. 1936–
6. zaniness, n. 1933–
7. Zante, n. 1615–
8. Zantedeschia, n. 1836–
9. ZANU, n. 1963–
10. zany, n. & adj. 1582–
11. zany, v.1602–1894
12. zanyish, adj. 1843–
13. zanyism, n. 1823–
14. zanyship, n. 1766–1839
15. Zanzibari, n. & adj. 1882–
16. zap, n. 1968–
17. zap, v. 1942–
18. zap, int. 1929–
19. Zapata, n. 1962–
20. zapateado, n. 1845–
21. Zapatism, n. 1911–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by conversion.
< zany n.

## Meaning & use

Obsolete (archaic in later use).

1. 1602–1894
   transitive. To imitate or mimic (a person or thing), esp. in a clumsy or absurd way; = ape v. 1. Cf. zany n. A.2b.
   1. 1602

      > Who..Laughes them to scorne, as man doth busie Apes When they will zanie men.

      J. Marston, Antonios Reuenge iv. i. sig. G2
   2. a1640

      > [He] takes his oath..that all excellence In other Madams doe but zany hers.

      J. Fletcher et al., Queene of Corinth i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher, Comedies & Tragedies (1647) sig. Aaaaaa2v/1
   3. 1691

      > Francisco's zanying the Person and Humour of Albano, is an incident in several Plays.

      G. Langbaine, Account of English Dramatic Poets 351
   4. 1894

      > If the delicious original be beyond capture, why essay to zany it?

      H. Pease, Mark o' Deil Preface 7
   archaic
   1. apize 1598
      ? To ape, simulate.
   2. zany 1602–1894
      transitive. To imitate or mimic (a person or thing), esp. in a clumsy or absurd way; = ape, v. 1. Cf. zany, n. A.2b.
   3. imitate 1613–
      Sometimes with implication of incongruity or of specific purpose: To mimic, counterfeit.
   4. mock a1616–
      transitive. To ridicule by imitation of speech, manner, or behaviour; to parody. Hence: to imitate or resemble closely; to mimic. Cf. mockingbird, n.
   5. ape a1640–
      To imitate, mimic. Pretentiously, irrationally, or absurdly.
   6. monkey a1657–
      transitive. To ape the manners of, mimic; to mock, ridicule. Now rare.
   7. mimic 1687–
      transitive. To imitate or copy minutely, uncritically, or servilely, usually so as to emulate or aspire to parity with, and frequently with…
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Forms

### Variant forms

See zany n.

zany, v. was revised in March 2024.

zany, v. was last modified in June 2024.