zigzaghttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zigzag_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezigzag, n., adj., & adv.
First published 1921; not fully revised

zigzagnoun, adjective, & adverb

  1. noun
      1. 1.a.
        1712–
        A series of short lines inclined at angles in alternate directions; a line or course having sharp turns of this kind; concrete something characterized by such lines or turns. Originally in in zigzag (= French en zigzag).
        1. 1712
          Steps of Grass laid in Zic-Zac [Note, The French call this an Allée en Zic-Zac, for its Likeness to a Machine so called].
          J. James, translation of A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville, Theory & Practice of Gardening 42
        2. 1712
          Chevrons, or Checks of Grass in Zig-Zac.
          J. James, translation of A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville, Theory & Practice of Gardening 215
        3. 1728
          An Alley in Ziczac, is that which has too great a Descent.
          E. Chambers, Cyclopædia at Alley
        4. 1822
          The larger tubercles placed in zig-zag.
          J. Parkinson, Outline Oryctology 139
        5. 1892
          Entering by the beautiful Gate of Justice, and winding in zigzag through the thickness of the tower.
          E. Reeves, Homeward Bound 299
        1. 1766
          Here's none of your strait lines here—but all taste—zig-zag—crinkum-crankum—in and out.
          G. Colman & D. Garrick, Clandestine Marriage ii. ii. 28
        2. 1830
          Twisted into a serpent, or bent into a zig-zag.
          M. Donovan, Domestic Economy vol. I. vii. 235
        3. 1856
          The other [road] was practicable for carriages, and for this purpose was made to climb the acclivity with a zigzag.
          C. Merivale, History of Romans under Empire vol. IV. xl. 495
        4. 1871
          Terminating with a turquoise zig-zag.
          A. Nesbitt, Catalogue Slade Collection of Glass 6
        5. 1880
          Dashing his finger in a fiery zig-zag along the line for her pen to follow.
          G. Meredith, Tragic Comedians vol. II. iii. 36
        6. 1884
          The hieroglyphic use of the zigzag, for water, by the Egyptians.
          J. Ruskin, Pleasures Eng. (1885) iii. §87. 121
      2. 1.b.
        1743–
        Each of such lines or turns: chiefly in plural.
        1. 1743
          Nonsense precipitate, like running Lead, That slip'd thro' Cracks and Zig-zags of the Head.
          A. Pope, Dunciad (revised edition) i. 124
        2. 1775
          A winding road, which forms thirteen zig-zags.
          R. Twiss, Travels Portugal & Spain 64
        3. 1833
          A cap, laced and ribanded in all manner of zig-zags.
          L. Ritchie, Wanderings by Loire 182
        4. a1861
          The lightning zigzags shoot across the sky.
          A. H. Clough, Poems & Prose Remains (1869) vol. II. 291
        5. 1865
          The button made many a zigzag from side to side of the table.
          G. MacDonald, Alec Forbes lxxiv
        6. 1875
          The grand curve of growth..does not assume the form of a continuous curve, but shows a number of small zigzags.
          A. W. Bennett & W. T. T. Dyer, translation of J. von Sachs, Text-book of Botany 742
      3. 1.c.
        1782–
        figurative.
        1. 1782
          Though such continual zigzags in a book, Such drunken reelings have an aukward look.
          W. Cowper, Conversation in Poems 255
        2. 1796
          The fanaticks going straight forward and openly, the politicians by the surer mode of zigzag.
          E. Burke, Two Letters Peace Regicide Directory France in Works (1842) vol. II. 311
        3. 1816
          The little zigzags of embarrassment.
          J. Austen, Emma vol. I. xv. 282
        4. 1913
          Our policy is apt to go in zigzags, because different sections of our people exercise at different times unequal pressure on our government.
          T. Roosevelt, Autobiography 579
    1. 2.
      a1745–
      A road or path turning sharply at angles in alternate directions, esp. so as to reduce the gradient on a steep slope; each of the sharp turns forming such a road.
      1. a1745
        How proudly he talks Of zigzacks and walks.
        J. Swift, My Lady's Lament. in Works (1765) vol. VIII. ii. 184
      2. 1848
        I thread the doubtful zig-zags of May Fair.
        W. M. Thackeray, Book of Snobs vi. 24
      3. 1855
        Up the valley of the Adour, to Arreau, a village approached by zigzags.
        H. Alford, Journal 19 August in Life, Journals & Letters (1873) vii. 250
      4. 1890
        Many years before the Zig Zag [sc. railway in New South Wales] was chopped out of the sidelings.
        ‘R. Boldrewood’, Colonial Reformer xiii
    2. 3.
      Applied spec. to other things of a zigzag shape.
      1. 3.a.
        1733–
        Fortification. A trench leading towards a besieged place, constructed in a zigzag direction so as not to be enfiladed by the defenders; a boyau.
        1. 1733
          A Battery began in the Morning to play upon the Cavalier of the Bastion Ghiera; the Night following the Zic-zacs were continued.
          E. Budgell, Bee vol. IV. 67
        2. 1834
          The zig-zags may often require a greater relief than the parallels.
          J. S. Macaulay, Treatise on Field Fortification 223
      2. 3.b.
        1814–
        Architecture. A chevron-moulding.
        1. 1814
          The dancette, as the figure is termed in heraldry, or zig-zag.
          W. Scott, Border Antiquities vol. I. 59
        2. 1826
          The chevron or zig zag, that favorite British ornament so prominent in Egyptian remains.
          W. A. Miles, Description of Deverel Barrow 4
        3. 1884
          The Norman zigzag.
          J. Ruskin, Pleasures Eng. (1885) iii. §87. 119
      3. 3.c.
        a1877–
        Fisheries. (See quot.)
        1. a1877
          Zigzag,..2. A winding chute on the face of a dam to enable fish to ascend.
          E. H. Knight, Practical Dictionary of Mechanics vol. III. 2829/1
    3. 4.
      1815–
      Collectors' name for a shell, or a moth, with zigzag marking.
      1. 1815
        Zigzag, Cypræa Ziczac.
        S. Brookes, Introduction Conchology 157
    4. 5.
      1909–
      (Zig-Zag noun (also Zig Zag) .) A proprietary name for cigarette paper.
      1. 1909
        Braunstein & Cie, Paris... Zig Zag... Cigarette-paper.
        Official Gazette (U.S. Patent Office) 14 December 594/1
      2. 1927
        Zig-zag No. 114... Cigarette papers. Société anonyme des anciens Établissements Braustein Frères.., Paris.
        Trade Marks Journal 13 April 675
      3. 1968
        Zig-zag, paper of high quality which is commonly used in rolling marijuana.
        Current Slang (University South Dakota) Fall 52
      4. 1977
        She stuffed her..Zig Zags back into her purse.
        C. McFadden, Serial (1978) xxx. 67/1
  2. adjective
      1. 1.a.
        1752–
        Having the form of a zigzag; turning sharply at angles in alternate directions; characterized by turns of this kind.
        1. 1752
          Striking it with a wriggling Motion from Side to Side, in a zigzag Way.
          A. Dobbs in Philosophical Transactions 1749–50 (Royal Society) vol. 46 543
        2. 1769
          Flashes of forked, or zig-zag lightning.
          W. Hamilton in Philosophical Transactions 1768 (Royal Society) vol. 58 11
        3. 1785
          He..transforms old print To zig-zag manuscript.
          W. Cowper, Task ii. 364
        4. 1792
          Up from the lake a zigzag path will creep.
          W. Wordsworth, Descriptive Sketches 236
        5. 1836
          Away jogs the boat in a zigzag direction.
          C. Dickens, Sketches by Boz 1st Series vol. II. 187
        6. 1860
          A kind of zigzag channel had been worn on the side of the mountain.
          J. Tyndall, Glaciers of Alps i. ii. 11
        figurative
        1. 1798
          Be regular: from A to B proceed; I hate your zig-zag verse, and wanton heed.
          T. J. Mathias, Pursuits of Literature (ed. 7) 327
        2. 1861
          The old joke of the zigzag jury who said ‘Guilty’ and ‘Not guilty’ alternately, all through the assizes.
          J. Pycroft, Ways & Words 192
        3. 1863
          All the brood of zig-zag politicians.
          C. Cowden Clarke, Shakespeare-characters vi. 145
        4. 1897
          Our policy is to have as little of the zigzag policy..as possible.
          G. J. Goschen in Hansard's Parliamentary Debates 4th Series vol. 47 597
      2. 1.b.
        1765–
        Architecture. Applied to a moulding or other ornament of a zigzag pattern: cf. A.3b.
        1. 1765
          The chevron work (or zig-zag moulding).
          T. Gray, Letter in Correspondence (1971) vol. II. 864
        2. 1815
          Channels in various forms, some plain zigzag, some like net-work, and some spiral.
          T. Rickman in J. Smith, Panorama of Science & Art vol. I. 136
        3. 1840
          Columns of green basalt, with fantastic zigzag ornaments.
          C. Wordsworth, Greece 58
      3. 1.c.
        1793–
        Botany. Applied to the stem of a plant, or to a plant having such a stem.
        1. 1793
          Zigzag, used by some English writers for Flexuose.
          T. Martyn, Language of Botany sig. Y2
        2. 1796
          Zigzag Ladies smock.
          W. Withering, Arrangement of British Plants (ed. 3) vol. III. 579
        3. 1819
          Zigzag Trefoil,..a term sometimes applied by farmers to the perennial red clover, marl grass, or wild red clover.
          A. Rees, Cyclopædia vol. XXXIX
    1. 2.
      1785–
      Having zigzag markings. (Chiefly Natural History.)
      1. 1785
        Zigzag Bittern.
        J. Latham, General Synopsis of Birds vol. III. i. 61
      2. 1796
        Zigzag chama, Venus castrensis.
        P. A. Nemnich, Allgemeines Polyglotten-Lexicon 946
    2. 3.
      1916–
      Military slang (chiefly U.S.). Drunk. Now rare.
      1. 1916
        A Tommy went over to Arques Beaucoup zigzag and out for a larques.
        Gasper (18th, 19th, 20th, & 21st Royal Fusiliers) 29 April
      2. 1917
        She..replied with emotion 'Bosch officier, no ben, plenty zig-zag​'.
        B.E.F. Times 10 April 3/1
      3. 1918
        He got a trifle zig-zag.
        in C. Hamilton & L. Corbin, Echoes from over There (1919) 125
      4. 1923
        He groped and floundered..not completely ‘zigzag’.
        E. Paul, Impromptu ii. 149
      5. 1965
        I wanted to stay zigzag, but the silliness was out of me.
        S. Linakis, In Spring War Ended i. 24
  3. adverb
    1. 1754–
      In a zigzag manner or direction.
      1. 1754
        It is almost incredible..how nimbly they skip,..turning Zic Zac to such Places as are passable.
        E. Burt, Letters N. Scotland vol. II. xx. 132
      2. 1765
        The lightening is observed to run not in strait line, but zig zag.
        R. Veicht in Philosophical Transactions 1764 (Royal Society) vol. 54 287
      3. 1846
        When he ignites a rocket, it may go straight forward, or zig-zag.
        W. Greener, Science of Gunnery (new edition) 244
      4. 1862
        The road..led zig~zag up the side of a precipitous mountain.
        H. Beveridge, Comprehensive History of India vol. III. viii. iv. 374

zigzag, n., adj., & adv. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

zigzag, n., adj., & adv. was last modified in December 2024.