zizanyhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zizany_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezizany, n.
Revised 2021

† zizanynoun

Obsolete.
  1. 1.
    a1400–1789
    A weed that grows among wheat; tares, darnel; = zizania n. 1. Also figurative: a pernicious influence or unwanted element; cf. tare n.1 3.
    1. a1400 (a1325)
      Þi wete sal bi-com ȝiȝanny [Göttingen MS. ȝiȝannije, Fairfax MS. darnel].
      Cursor Mundi (Vespasian MS.) l. 1138
      [Composed a1325]
    2. c1425
      Recipe semen iusquiamus, ȝiȝannie, i. darnel.
      translation of J. Arderne, Treatises of Fistula (Sloane MS. 6) (1910) 100
    3. ?1533
      Zizany, droe.
      G. Du Wes, Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Dii
    4. 1581
      To desaue ye varld to sau zizanie and pernicious heresie in mennis hartis.
      J. Hamilton, Catholik Traictise Epist. f. 3
    5. 1602
      Nether go I about thus pointing out the rycht vay, as your enemie to sau zizanie vithin your feild vhillas you be à sleap.
      J. Colville, Parænese sig. ĩij
    6. a1706
      Many holy and excellent persons God has dispersed, as wheat among the tares and zizany.
      J. Evelyn, History of Religion (1850) vol. II. xii. 314
    7. 1789
      There is zizanie between the D. of Portland, Fox, and Sheridan.
      T. Jefferson, Letter 22 January in Papers (1958) vol. XIV. 482
  2. 2.
    1759–1803
    An aquatic grass of the genus Zizania; wild rice; = zizania n. 2. rare.
    1. 1759
      A great number of plants fit for food might be sown, such as zizany of Canada [Latin Zizania canadensis].
      B. Stillingfleet, translation of C. Gedner, Of Use of Curiosity in Miscellaneous Tracts Natural History 149
    2. 1803
      Rough Dog's-tail Grass, or Cynosurus echinatus; Water Zizany, or Zizania aquatica.
      G. Nicholson, On Food 86

zizany, n. was revised in March 2021.

zizany, n. was last modified in July 2023.