ziphiiform, adj.

ziphiiform
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/ziphiiform_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# † ziphiiformadjective

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective ziphiiform mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective ziphiiform. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is now obsolete. It is only recorded in the 1890s.

### Where does the adjective ziphiiform come from?

Earliest known use

1890s

The only known use of the adjective ziphiiform is in the 1890s.

OED's only evidence for ziphiiform is from 1891, in Century Dictionary.

ziphiiform is a borrowing from Latin, combined with an English element.

Etymons: Latin Ziphius, ‑iform comb. form.

### Nearby entries

1. zip-coding, n. 1964–
2. zip coon, n. 1833–
3. zip cuff, n. 1995–
4. zip cuff, v. 1996–
5. Zipf, n. 1936–
6. zip fastener, n. 1925–
7. zip fastening, n. & adj. 1925–
8. zip gun, n. 1914–
9. Ziph, n. 1834–
10. ziphian, n. & adj. 1896
11. ziphiiform, adj.1891
12. ziphioid, adj. & n. 1861–
13. zipless, adj. 1922–
14. zip line, n. 1970–
15. zip line, v. 1998–
16. zipliner, n. 1993–
17. zip lining, n.?1983–
18. zip-lipped, adj. 1943–
19. ziplock, n. 1928–
20. zipped, adj. 1931–
21. zippeite, n. 1850–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Latin, combined with an English element.
Etymons: Latin Ziphius, ‑iform comb. form.
< scientific Latin Ziphius, genus name (see ziphioid adj. & n.) + ‑iform comb. form.

## Meaning & use

Zoology. Obsolete. rare.

1. 1891
   Designating a whale of the type represented by the genus Ziphius; = ziphioid adj.
   1. 1891

      > The ziphioid or ziphiiform cetaceans, among those known as bottlenoses and cow-fishes.

      Century Dictionary at Ziphiinæ
   animals
   1. ziphioid 1861–
      Of or relating to the genus Ziphius or family Ziphiidae of beaked and bottlenose whales; belonging to or having the characteristics of this genus…
   2. ziphiiform 1891
      Designating a whale of the type represented by the genus Ziphius; = ziphioid, adj.
   3. ziphian 1896
      Belonging to or having the characteristics of the whale family Ziphiidae; = ziphioid, adj.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

Originally published as part of the entry for ziphioid, adj. & n.

ziphiiform, adj. was revised in March 2021.

ziphiiform, adj. was last modified in July 2023.