zest, n.²

zest
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zest_n2%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# † zestnoun2

## Earlier version

- zest, n.² in OED Second Edition (1989)

## 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

1. zero sound, n. 1957–
2. zero-sum, adj. 1944–
3. zeroth, adj. 1850–
4. zero tillage, n. 1963–
5. zero tolerance, n. 1940–
6. zerovalent, adj. 1906–
7. zero waste, adj. & n. 1974–
8. zero-zero, adj. & n. 1930–
9. zerumbet, n. 1640–
10. zest, n.¹ 1674–
11. zest, n.²1706
12. zest, v. 1702–
13. zest, int. 1705–22
14. zester, n. 1963–
15. zestful, adj. 1797–
16. zestfully, adv. 1843–
17. zestiness, n. 1912–
18. zesty, adj. 1826–
19. zeta, n.¹?a1425–
20. zeta, n.² 1706–1860
21. 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.

1. 1706
   An afternoon rest or nap; a siesta.
   1. 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)
   1. undermeal 1426–1599
      An afternoon nap; a siesta. Also attributive.
   2. meridian a1450–1820
      A rest taken at or around midday; a siesta. Obsolete.
   3. meridiation 1623–58
      A midday rest, a siesta; = meridian, n. 2c.
   4. meridional a1631–1762
      figurative. = meridian, adj. 1c. Obsolete.
   5. siesta 1655–
      An afternoon rest or nap; esp. that commonly taken during the hottest hours of the day in tropical countries. Also transferred.
   6. zest 1706
      An afternoon rest or nap; a siesta.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

zest, n.² was revised in June 2018.

zest, n.² was last modified in July 2023.