There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zephyrian. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
Earliest known use
mid 1600s
The earliest known use of the adjective zephyrian is in the mid 1600s.
OED's earliest evidence for zephyrian is from 1661, in the writing of Samuel Pordage, poet and translator.
Nearby entries
- 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–
- Zepp, n.1914–
- Zepp, v.1914–
- Zeppelin, n.1896–
1661–
Of, relating to, or reminiscent of, a zephyr or light breeze; cf.
zephyrean adj.Stressed as zeˈphyrian.
1661
Cover'd with grass sprung from Zephyrian showers.
S. Pordage, Mundorum Explicatio 14
1734
And from the West with a Zephyrian Breath, Plants seeming dead he re-revives from Death.
Poor Robin A 7
1922
A softness in new foliage ripening from bud to mature leaf in the spring, advent of which under a Zephyrian influence he is describing.
Modern Language Notes vol. 37 88
Of wind, a breeze, etc.: gentle, not strong in force. Cf. moderate, adj. A.1b, strong, adj. 13a.
figurative. Of the wind: calm, gentle. Obsolete.
Of a wind: light, slight, gentle.
Having a soft or light tread. poetic. Used figuratively of the passage of time or the movement of incorporeal or ethereal things.
literary. Of a wind: blowing gently, light and soft.
Of or pertaining to the west wind; hence, favourable, gentle, propitious.
Of, relating to, or reminiscent of, a zephyr or light breeze; cf. zephyrean, adj.
Of wind, or tide: Blowing, or running, with very little strength or speed.
Of, relating to, or reminiscent of, a zephyr or light breeze; cf. zephyrean, adj., zephyrian, adj.
Of the nature of a zephyr or light breeze; characterized by or affected by zephyrs.
Of the nature of, or reminiscent of, a zephyr or light breeze; cf. zephyrian, adj.
Originally published as part of the entry for zephyr, n.
zephyr, n. was revised in June 2018.
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