First published 1921; not fully revised
† zagaie | zagayenoun
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zagaie. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the late 1600s.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
Earliest known use
late 1500s
The earliest known use of the noun zagaie is in the late 1500s.
OED's earliest evidence for zagaie is from 1590, in the writing of John Smythe, soldier, diplomat, and writer.
zagaie is a borrowing from French.
Etymons: French zagaie.
Nearby entries
- zabuton, n.1879–
- zac, n.1898–
- 'zackly | 'zactly, adv.1886–
- zad, n.1669–
- Zadokite, n. & adj.1910–
- zadruga, n.1887–
- zaffre | zaffer, n.1662–
- zaftig, adj.1921–
- zafu, n.1965–
- zag, n., adv., & v.1793–
- zagaie | zagaye, n.1590–1698
- Zaghlulist, n. & adj.1921–
- zaguan, n.1851–
- Zahal, n.1959–
- zaibatsu, n.1937–
- Zaidi, n.1709–
- zaikai, n.1968–
- zaim, n.1807–
- zaire, n.1967–
- Zairean, n. & adj.1972–
- Zairese, adj. & n.1974–
A borrowing from French.
Etymon: French zagaie.
< French zagaie, reduced form of
azagaye: see
assegai n. 1590–1698
1590
Some numbers of Zagaias (which are double headed Lances).
J. Smythe, Certain Discourses Weapons L 4
1687
They are very dextrous at the Zagaye.
A. Lovell, translation of J. de Thévenot, Travels into Levant i. 35
1693
Long Hooks, Lances, Zagages .
T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux, translation of F. Rabelais, 3rd Book of Works Prologue 5
1698
The Sagay, which is a very light Half-Pike.
translation of F. Froger, Relation of Voyage Coasts of Africa 12
[1702
They..excell the managing of the Zagaie; which is a sort of Stick about four Foot long, about an Inch Thick, round before and flat behind.
W. J., translation of C. de Bruyn, Voyage to Levant xxii. 95]
[1869
The ‘Estradiots’,..armed with a zagaie, or javelin, pointed at both ends.
C. Boutell, translation of J. P. Lacombe, Arms & Armour vii. 102]
A spear for throwing; a dart, javelin.
A dart, javelin, or spear; a battleaxe. Cf. whiffler, n.¹ a.
A pointed missile weapon thrown by the hand; a light spear or javelin; also applied to pointed missiles in general, including arrows, etc.
A stronghold, a castle, esp. a small castle or tower; = peel, n.² 3. Also figurative. Now archaic and rare.
A weapon, ? some form of club; in 16th cent. Latin-English Dictionaries, glossing Latin aclys (aclis) a small javelin. Obsolete.
A small spear or javelin thrown with the hand or from a catapult.
A javelin or casting-spear.
A light spear thrown with the hand with or without the help of a thong; a dart.
An iron-pointed wooden dart; an assagai.
A light, versatile spear with an iron head used by the ancient Germanic peoples.
A light lance or javelin with a hollow shaft.
An iron-tipped hardwood spear, esp. one used by southern African peoples.
zagaie, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.
zagaie, n. was last modified in December 2023.
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