First published 1921; not fully revised
† zygostatnoun
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zygostat. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is only recorded in the early 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
early 1600s
The only known use of the noun zygostat is in the early 1600s.
OED's only evidence for zygostat is from 1623, in the writing of Henry Cockeram, lexicographer.
zygostat is a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: Latin zygostatēs.
Nearby entries
- zygosis, n.1880–
- zygosity, n.1952–
- zygosome, n.1905–
- zygosperm, n.1880–
- zygosphenal, adj.1854–
- zygosphene, n.1854–
- zygosphere, n.1880–
- zygospondyline, adj.1892–
- zygospore, n.1864–
- zygosporic, adj.1906–
- zygostat, n.1623
- zygostatical, adj.1656
- zygostyle, n.1881–
- zygote, n.1891–
- zygotene, n.1911–
- zygotic, adj.1909–
- -zygotic, comb. form
- zygotically, adv.1915–
- zygotoblast, n.1899–
- zygotoid, n.1891–
- zygotomere, n.1899–
A borrowing from Latin.
Etymon: Latin zygostatēs.
< late
Latin zygostatēs,
< Greek ζυγοστάτης,
< ζυγόν yoke, beam of a balance, etc. +
ἱστάναι to set, place.
1623
(See quots.)
1623
Zygost e, one that is appointed to see the weights, a Clarke of the market.
H. Cockeram, English Dictionarie
[1654
Such a Zygostata or Ballance, wherewith Jewellers are to weigh Pearles and Diamonds.
W. Charleton, Physiologia Epicuro-Gassendo-Charltoniana 403]
zygostat, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.
zygostat, n. was last modified in July 2023.
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