Revised 2018
† zestnoun2
Factsheet
What does the noun zest mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zest. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is only recorded in the early 1700s.
Where does the noun zest come from?
Earliest known use
early 1700s
The only known use of the noun zest is in the early 1700s.
OED's only evidence for zest is from 1706, in Phillips's New World of Words.
zest is probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item.
Etymons: siesta n.1
Nearby entries
- zero sound, n.1957–
- zero-sum, adj.1944–
- zeroth, adj.1850–
- zero tillage, n.1963–
- zero tolerance, n.1940–
- zerovalent, adj.1906–
- zero waste, adj. & n.1974–
- zero-zero, adj. & n.1930–
- zerumbet, n.1640–
- zest, n.¹1674–
- zest, n.²1706
- zest, v.1702–
- zest, int.1705–22
- zester, n.1963–
- zestful, adj.1797–
- zestfully, adv.1843–
- zestiness, n.1912–
- zesty, adj.1826–
- zeta, n.¹?a1425–
- zeta, n.²1706–1860
- zetacism, n.1860–
Etymology
Summary
Of uncertain origin. Probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item.
Probably a variant of siesta n.1
Meaning & use
Obsolete. rare.
- 1706An afternoon rest or nap; a siesta.
- 1706
Zest,..sometimes taken, for a short Afternoon's Sleep or Nap: as To go to one's Zest.
Phillips's New World of Words (new edition)
the world physical sensation sleeping and waking sleep [nouns] an instance or period of short or light siesta- undermeal1426–1599An afternoon nap; a siesta. Also attributive.
- meridiana1450–1820A rest taken at or around midday; a siesta. Obsolete.
- meridiation1623–58A midday rest, a siesta; = meridian, n. 2c.
- meridionala1631–1762figurative. = meridian, adj. 1c. Obsolete.
- siesta1655–An afternoon rest or nap; esp. that commonly taken during the hottest hours of the day in tropical countries. Also transferred.
- zest1706An afternoon rest or nap; a siesta.