zephyret, n.

zephyret
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zephyret_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# † zephyretnoun

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zephyret mean?

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

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1880s.

### Where does the noun zephyret come from?

Earliest known use

late 1700s

The earliest known use of the noun zephyret is in the late 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for zephyret is from 1777, in the writing of Thomas Burgess, bishop of Salisbury.

zephyret is formed within English, by derivation; perhaps modelled on a German lexical item.

Etymons: zephyr n., ‑et suffix1.

### Nearby entries

1. zeolitization, n. 1879–
2. zeolitize, v. 1881–
3. zeolitized, adj. 1888–
4. Zephiran, n. 1935–
5. Zéphirine Drouhin, n. 1901–
6. zephyr, n. Old English–
7. zephyr, v. 1829–
8. zephyranth, n. 1845–
9. zephyranthes, n. 1821–
10. zephyrean, adj. 1793–
11. zephyret, n.1777–1881
12. zephyr flower, n.?1829–
13. zephyr-gale, n. 1596–1901
14. zephyrian, adj. 1661–
15. zephyrine, adj. & n. 1819–
16. zephyring, adj. 1821–
17. zephyrless, adj. a1821–
18. zephyr-like, adv. & adj. 1765–
19. zephyr lily, n.?1877–
20. zephyrous, adj. a1750–
21. zephyry, adj. 1791–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation; perhaps modelled on a German lexical item.
Etymons: zephyr n., ‑et suffix1.
< zephyr n. + ‑et suffix1, perhaps after German Zephyrette (1770 or earlier).

## Meaning & use

Chiefly poetic. Obsolete.

1. 1777–1881
   A gentle zephyr; a light breeze. Also in extended use.
   1. 1777

      > The soft zephyrets that panting die In soothing murmurs the still vales along.

      T. Burgess, Bagley sig. B
   2. 1848

      > To..send the zephyrets [German Zephyretten] of pleasure through artistic bellows and air-pumps, to the little flowers.

      A. H., translation of J. P. F. Richter, Levana iii. iii. 115
   3. 1881

      > Some zephyret Answering in softest whisper.

      New Monthly Magazine November 491
   weather poetic and literary
   1. aura a1398–
      A gentle breeze, a zephyr.
   2. breath c1400–
      A gentle breeze; a light movement of the air; a puff. Now chiefly in a breath of wind or a breath of air.
   3. air 1535–
      Air in motion; a current or draught of air; (esp. in the context of sailing) a breeze, a light wind.
   4. gentle gale 1567–
      A moderate wind; spec. a wind of a specified force (see quot. 1867).
   5. zephyr 1567–
      A gentle, mild wind or breeze.
   6. spring wind 1592–
      A wind occurring in the spring, esp. one that is warm, soft, or fresh.
   7. zephyr-gale 1596–1901
      A zephyr; a west wind; a gentle breeze; cf. gale, n.³ 1b.
   8. pirrie a1614–
      Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind; = pirr, n.¹ Frequently with of.
   9. breeze 1626–
      A gentle or light wind: a breeze is generally understood to be a lighter current of air than a wind, as a wind is lighter than a gale. ‘Among…
   10. gentle breeze 1635–
       A light wind; Meteorology a wind of force 3 on the Beaufort scale (7–10 knots or 12–19 mph).
   11. pirr a1722–
       Scottish. A gentle breeze; a light wind. Frequently with of. Also in figurative context.
   12. gale 1728–
       poetic and in rhetorical language often used for: A gentle breeze.
   13. zephyret 1777–1881
       A gentle zephyr; a light breeze. Also in extended use.
   14. lady's wind 1886–
       A gentle breeze.
   15. spill 1899–
       Nautical. A slight breeze.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

Originally published as part of the entry for zephyr, n.

zephyret, n. was revised in June 2018.

zephyret, n. was last modified in July 2023.