Z'life, n.

zlife
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zlife_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1921; not fully revised

# † Z'lifenoun

## Factsheet

### What does the noun Z'life mean?

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

This word is now obsolete. It is only recorded in 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.

### Where does the noun Z'life come from?

Earliest known use

late 1600s

The only known use of the noun Z'life is in the late 1600s.

OED's only evidence for Z'life is from 1689, in the writing of Nathaniel Lee, playwright and poet.

### Nearby entries

1. zizany, n. a1400–1803
2. zizel, n. 1775–
3. zizypha, n. 1546–1775
4. zizyphus, n.?1440–
5. zizz, v. 1883–
6. zizz, int. & n. 1824–
7. zizzing, n. 1884–
8. zizzing, adj. 1919–
9. zizzy, adj. 1843–
10. Zlid, n. 1616–1785
11. Z'life, n.1689
12. Z line, n. 1916–
13. Z-list, n. & adj. 1979–
14. Z-lister, n. 1999–
15. zloty, n. 1915–
16. Zn, n. 1814–
17. -zoa, comb. form
18. -zoan, comb. form
19. zoantharian, adj. & n. 1887–
20. zoanthid, n. 1870–
21. zoanthidan, adj. 1888–

## Etymology

Euphemistic alteration of God's life (see god n. & int. Phrases P.3b.i, and compare Uds n.).

Compare 'Z adj.

## Meaning & use

Obsolete.

1. 1689
   = God's life.
   1. 1689

      > Z'life I am as weary of mine, as a Modish Lady of her old Cloaths.

      N. Lee, Princess of Cleve ii. ii. 19
   1. (God's) my lifekins 1600–68
      (God's) my lifekins: (in oaths and asseverations) = by my life at life, n. phrases P.7a. See also Cod, n.⁴
   2. Od's lifelings a1616–1893
      Od's lifelings: (in oaths and asseverations) = (God's) lifelikins at lifelikins, n.
   3. 'Slife 1654–
      = God's life at life, n. phrases P.7b, used as a petty oath or exclamation.
   4. od's life 1681–
   5. Gads my life 1689–
      With contraction of save (cf. save, v. phrases P.2c), as Gads me (also Gads my life): ‘(may) God save me’, ‘(may) God save my life’. Used to affirm…
   6. Z'life 1689
      = God's life.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

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

Zlid, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.