zizzinterjection & noun
Meaning & use
- interjection
- 1824–Representing a buzzing or whizzing sound, such as that made by the rapid motion of a wheel. Frequently reduplicated.
- 1824
I carried a cutler's wheel for several weeks..there I went bizz—bizz—whizz—zizz, at every auld wife's door.
, Redgauntlet vol. II. xi. 258 - 1939
His pedals turn and his wheel goes whiz! And scissors and knives sing ‘Zizz! Zizz! Zizz!’
Australian Worker 8 November 4 - 2005
Flashes of laser fire lit the room. Zizz. Zizz. The wall above his bed exploded in a shower of hot sparks.
, Space Station Rat x. 94
- noun
- 1.1860–A buzzing or whizzing sound, such as that made by the rapid motion of a wheel; (also) a movement accompanied by such a sound.
- 1860
Then he made a disdainful imitation of the bird, all buzz, zizz, and guggle.
, Young Step-mother xlvii, in Monthly Packet September 267 - 1868
A sustained and continuous ‘zizz’, of the kind that is made with clenched teeth.
, Invasion of Crimea vol. IV. v. 174 - 1908
They shot round the base of the hills,..had a splendid zizz along the Hog's Back, and then turned sharp round.
, Mr. Clutterbuck's Election xiii. 305 - 1955
The sustained, high-pitched zizz of a party was audible.
, Glorious Life xxv. 232 - 1965
The zizz of a trishaw's wheels passing on the road.
Listener 17 June 900/3 - 1997
The metallic zizz of the starter motor.
Car March 99/1
- 2.1920–colloquial. Liveliness, vibrancy; a stimulating or invigorating quality which adds to the enjoyment or agreeableness of something. Now chiefly British.Cf. earlier zing n. B.2, zip n.1 B.1b.
- 1920
It must have been that wink that lifted her out of mob scenes into real parts—and she's certainly got seven varieties of zizz-z to go with the wink!
Picture-play Magazine April 78/2 - 1970
No party got into full swing until Tallulah arrived to put her particular type of zizz into it.
Gourmet January 18/2 - 1983
The Queensgate centre lacks, perhaps, finesse and a touch of zizz.
Times 22 February 12/6 - 1997
Salmon came with baby spinach and a fruity red wine sauce which gave it a perfect zizz.
Independent on Sunday 26 January (Review Supplement) 50/4
- 3.1941–
- 1941
He could not have caught our Pilot Officer Prune at three o'clock one afternoon having a zizz full-length on a mess settee.
Tee Emm (Air Ministry) August 17 - 1970
Just what I aim to forget by having A quiet ziz.
, translation of Aristophanes, Wasps in Plays vol. I. 169 - 2005
Sometimes a quick zizz for 15 or 20 minutes is wonderfully reviving.
Sunday Times 20 November (Magazine) 82/4