There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zephyret. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1880s.
Earliest known use
late 1700s
The earliest known use of the noun zephyret is in the late 1700s.
OED's earliest evidence for zephyret is from 1777, in the writing of Thomas Burgess, bishop of Salisbury.
zephyret is formed within English, by derivation; perhaps modelled on a German lexical item.
Etymons: zephyr n., ‑et suffix1.
Nearby entries
- zeolitization, n.1879–
- zeolitize, v.1881–
- zeolitized, adj.1888–
- Zephiran, n.1935–
- Zéphirine Drouhin, n.1901–
- zephyr, n.Old English–
- zephyr, v.1829–
- zephyranth, n.1845–
- zephyranthes, n.1821–
- zephyrean, adj.1793–
- zephyret, n.1777–1881
- zephyr flower, n.?1829–
- zephyr-gale, n.1596–1901
- zephyrian, adj.1661–
- zephyrine, adj. & n.1819–
- zephyring, adj.1821–
- zephyrless, adj.a1821–
- zephyr-like, adv. & adj.1765–
- zephyr lily, n.?1877–
- zephyrous, adj.a1750–
- zephyry, adj.1791–
Formed within English, by derivation; perhaps modelled on a German lexical item.
< zephyr n. +
‑et suffix1, perhaps after
German Zephyrette (1770 or earlier).
1777–1881
A gentle zephyr; a light breeze. Also in extended use.
1777
The soft zephyrets that panting die In soothing murmurs the still vales along.
T. Burgess, Bagley sig. B
1848
To..send the zephyrets of pleasure through artistic bellows and air-pumps, to the little flowers.
A. H., translation of J. P. F. Richter, Levana iii. iii. 115
1881
Some zephyret Answering in softest whisper.
New Monthly Magazine November 491
A gentle breeze, a zephyr.
A gentle breeze; a light movement of the air; a puff. Now chiefly in a breath of wind or a breath of air.
Air in motion; a current or draught of air; (esp. in the context of sailing) a breeze, a light wind.
A moderate wind; spec. a wind of a specified force (see quot. 1867).
A gentle, mild wind or breeze.
A wind occurring in the spring, esp. one that is warm, soft, or fresh.
A zephyr; a west wind; a gentle breeze; cf. gale, n.³ 1b.
Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind; = pirr, n.¹ Frequently with of.
A gentle or light wind: a breeze is generally understood to be a lighter current of air than a wind, as a wind is lighter than a gale. ‘Among…
A light wind; Meteorology a wind of force 3 on the Beaufort scale (7–10 knots or 12–19 mph).
Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind. Frequently with of. Also in figurative context.
poetic and in rhetorical language often used for: A gentle breeze.
A gentle zephyr; a light breeze. Also in extended use.
Nautical. A slight breeze.
Originally published as part of the entry for zephyr, n.
zephyret, n. was revised in June 2018.
zephyret, n. was last modified in July 2023.
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