zizanianoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zizania mean?
There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zizania, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
How common is the noun zizania?
| 1750 | 0.0092 |
| 1760 | 0.0095 |
| 1770 | 0.01 |
| 1780 | 0.015 |
| 1790 | 0.017 |
| 1800 | 0.019 |
| 1810 | 0.028 |
| 1820 | 0.031 |
| 1830 | 0.031 |
| 1840 | 0.031 |
| 1850 | 0.026 |
| 1860 | 0.024 |
| 1870 | 0.02 |
| 1880 | 0.012 |
| 1890 | 0.0085 |
| 1900 | 0.0074 |
| 1910 | 0.0058 |
| 1920 | 0.0052 |
| 1930 | 0.0046 |
| 1940 | 0.0038 |
| 1950 | 0.004 |
| 1960 | 0.0033 |
| 1970 | 0.0032 |
| 1980 | 0.0031 |
| 1990 | 0.003 |
| 2000 | 0.0028 |
| 2010 | 0.0028 |
How is the noun zizania pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the noun zizania come from?
Earliest known use
early 1500s
The earliest known use of the noun zizania is in the early 1500s.
OED's earliest evidence for zizania is from 1526, in the Grete Herball.
zizania is a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: Latin zizania.
Nearby entries
- zit-faced, adj.1971–
- zither, n.1831–
- zither, v.1889–
- zither banjo, n.1888–
- zithering, adj.1889–
- zitherist, n.1866–
- zither-like, adj.1881–
- ziti, n.1845–
- zitty, adj.1971–
- Ziv, n.a1382–
- zizania, n.1526–
- zizany, n.a1400–1803
- zizel, n.1775–
- zizypha, n.1546–1775
- zizyphus, n.?1440–
- zizz, v.1883–
- zizz, int. & n.1824–
- zizzing, n.1884–
- zizzing, adj.1919–
- zizzy, adj.1843–
- Zlid, n.1616–1785
Etymology
Summary
Notes
Meaning & use
- 1.1526–1809† A weed that grows among wheat; tares, darnel; = zizany n. 1. Also figurative: a pernicious influence or unwanted element; cf. tare n.1 3. Obsolete.Quot. a1398 shows a use of a form of the Latin word in an English context.
- [(a1398)
Ray hatte zysannia and is a certein herbe... He..is liche to whete whanne it is in grasse.
J. Trevisa, translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De Proprietatibus Rerum (British Library Add. MS. 27944) (1975) vol. II. xvii. cxciv. 1089][Composed a1398] - 1526
Zizania is an euyll wede yt groweth in the wheate, and corrupteth whan the weder is drye.
Grete Herball cdlxxix. sig. Bb.ijv/1 - 1562
There is great lyknes betwene whete and zizaniam, which we call lolium.
W. Turner, 2nd Part Herball f. 41 - 1570
The doctrine of the Bohemians, whiche he termeth by the name of Zizania.
J. Foxe, Actes & Monumentes (revised edition) vol. I. 829/2 - 1612
With their Zizaniaes of faction, they make boot & havocke of Catholickes estates.
T. James, Iesuits Downefall 8 - 1744
One would think they were of the Devil's own sowing, the ancient Zizania.
D. Hillman in Tusser's Five Hundred Points Husbandry 32 (note) - 1809
Some indeed think, that because the servants distinguished the zizania from the wheat, there was no resemblance between them.
C. Simeon, Evangelical & Pharisiac Righteousness Compared 17
- weedOld English–A person or thing likened to a weed (sense I.i.1a.i) in being considered noxious, troublesome, or useless.
- popplea1425–1644figurative. In echoes of Matthew 13:25, 26: tares (tare, n.¹ 3b). Obsolete.
- darnel1444–figurative. Cf. cockle, n.¹, tare, n.¹
- zizania1526–1809A weed that grows among wheat; tares, darnel; = zizany, n. 1. Also figurative: a pernicious influence or unwanted element; cf. tare, n.¹ 3. Obsolete.
- thistle1563–figurative or in figurative context, with reference to the thistle as a noxious or prickly weed.
- zizany1581A weed that grows among wheat; tares, darnel; = zizania, n. 1. Also figurative: a pernicious influence or unwanted element; cf. tare, n.¹ 3.
- fungus1659–figurative. A person or thing likened to a fungus, esp. in being unpleasant, excrescent, or ephemeral.
- tare1686–Hence in allusive and figurative uses.
the world plants particular plants plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants weed [nouns] other weeds- zizanya1400–1789A weed that grows among wheat; tares, darnel; = zizania, n. 1. Also figurative: a pernicious influence or unwanted element; cf. tare, n.¹ 3.
- hog's fennel1525–Any of several plants having finely divided leaves like those of fennel; spec. (a) a plant of the genus Peucedanum (family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae))…
- zizania1526–1809A weed that grows among wheat; tares, darnel; = zizany, n. 1. Also figurative: a pernicious influence or unwanted element; cf. tare, n.¹ 3. Obsolete.
- eyebright1578–Any of several related plants, esp. red bartsia, Odontites vernus, and yellow bartsia, Parentucellia viscosa (both of the family Orobanchaceae)…
- henbit1578–Ivy-leaved speedwell, Veronica hederifolia, a common arable and garden weed. More fully (and in later use only) small henbit. Now rare.
- red eye-bright1657–= red bartsia, n.
- common orache1728Any of numerous succulent inconspicuous-flowered plants of the genus Atriplex, of the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae); spec. (a) (more fully gar…
- yellows1738–1802Chiefly English regional. Any of several yellow-flowered arable weeds of the family Brassicaceae, esp. charlock (Sinapis arvensis) and wild turnip (Br…
- sitfast1762–Originally Scottish. Any of several plants having tough, creeping roots; spec. thorny restharrow, Ononis spinosa, and creeping buttercup, Ranunculus r…
- winter weed1787–Any of various small herbaceous plants which flourish in winter and are regarded as weeds; esp. speedwells (genus Veronica) (now rare), and (in the…
- dubbeltjie1795–One of several South African weeds, esp. Tribulus terrestris or Emex australis; also the spiny, angular burr of any of these weeds.
- red bartsia1805–A Eurasian plant, Odontites vernus (formerly included in the genus Bartsia), which has spikes of pink-purple flowers and is common in dry…
- tread-softly1814–A name for a herbaceous perennial stinging plant (Jatropha urens var. stimulosa) of the southern United States; the spurge-nettle.
- rattlesnake leaf1822–†a. = rattlesnake plantain, n. (b) (obsolete); b. a goldenrod (genus Solidago), formerly used to treat rattlesnake bites (cf. rattlesnake herb, n.…
- hog grass1849–Any of various plants occurring chiefly as weeds in cultivated land; esp. knotweed, Polygonum aviculare, and sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus; cf. hogweed…
- popple1855–English regional (Cumberland, Yorkshire). Any of several other cornfield weeds, esp. the corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas, and charlock, Sinapis arvensis…
- horse-nettle1860–A North American weed of the nightshade family (Solanum carolinense).
- Cape weed1878–a. Roccella tinctoria ‘a dye lichen, obtained from the Cape de Verde Islands’ (Treasury Bot. 1866); b. a common yellow-flowered herb, Cryptostemma cal…
- devil's paintbrush1891–Orange hawkweed, Pilosella aurantiaca, which is considered to be a troublesome weed in many places where it has been introduced.
- tree-tobacco1895–See quot. 1895.
- king devil1898–(More fully king devil weed) any of several hawkweeds (genus Hieracium) or mouse-ear hawkweeds (genus Pilosella), esp. when regarded as troublesome…
- khaki weed1907–Alternanthera repens, a member of the family Amaranthaceæ which has spread from South America to South Africa and Australia.
- white top1909–U.S. Any of various plants regarded as weeds of agricultural land, esp. any of several white-flowered species of fleabane (genus Erigeron), and…
- three-corner jack1919–= three-cornered jack n. at three-cornered, adj. 3.
- 2.1756–Botany. An aquatic grass of the genus Zizania; wild rice. Also (in form Zizania): the genus itself.
- 1756
The larger Zizania, with a scattered panicle.
P. Browne, Civil & Natural History of Jamaica ii. ii. 340 - 1829
The zizania or Canada-rice.
T. Castle, Introduction to Systematical & Physiological Botany 157 - 1847
The Menomonies are called ‘Folles Avoines’, or Wild Oats, from the wild rice or zizania which their country produces.
J. C. Prichard, Research Physical History of Mankind (ed. 3) vol. V. vi. v. §6. 395 - 1901
In Zizania and Bromus, Zea and other grasses the epidermis is followed by sclerenchyma sheath.
L. H. Pammel et al., Grasses Iowa 18 - 1991
Another genus is Zizania, a wild plant whose grains were collected by North American Indians as an important source of food.
R. H. M. Langer & G. D. Hill, Agric. Plants (ed. 2) iv. 139 - 2009
Wetlands that exhibited the greatest loss of Zizania tended to have higher levels of residential development within their watershed.
Wetlands vol. 29 724
- zizanya1400–1789A weed that grows among wheat; tares, darnel; = zizania, n. 1. Also figurative: a pernicious influence or unwanted element; cf. tare, n.¹ 3.
- taresa1425–plural. Used in the later Wycliffite (or Purvey) version of the New Testament (Matthew xiii. 25), also in some manuscripts of the earlier text, and…
- titter1573–1643A kind of weed found in cornfields (perhaps a vetch or tare).
- furrow-weed1608–A weed that grows on the ‘furrow’ or ploughed land.
- zizania1756–Botany. An aquatic grass of the genus Zizania; wild rice. Also (in form Zizania): the genus itself.
- walder1764–Some weed found abundantly in cornfields.
the world plants particular plants cultivated or valued plants particular food plant or plant product cereal, corn, or grain [nouns] rice types of rice or rice-plants- black rice1528–Any of several varieties of rice with a dark-coloured husk.
- fundi1670–Originally: porridge or other food made from the seeds of millet or a similar cereal grass. In later use also: a cereal grass, Digitaria exilis…
- ricea1710–Chiefly North American. The edible seeds of any of several grasses of the genus Zizania (closely related to Oryza); (also) any of these grasses, esp…
- wild rice1748–An aquatic grass, Zizania aquatica, native to North America, having seeds resembling rice and used as food.
- zizania1756–Botany. An aquatic grass of the genus Zizania; wild rice. Also (in form Zizania): the genus itself.
- zizany1759–1803An aquatic grass of the genus Zizania; wild rice; = zizania, n. 2. rare.
- water oats1771–Wild rice (genus Zizania) (see rice, n.² 3a).
- Canada rice1786–Any of several kinds of North American wild rice (genus Zizania), esp. Z. aquatica, which grows in shallow water and the seeds of which are used…
- Carolina rice1787–A variety of rice, the ripe husk of which is yellowish.
- menomin1791–A name originally used by Ojibwa people and also occasionally more widely (esp. in Canada) for: wild rice, Zizania aquatica, or its seeds.
- Patna rice1795–In full Patna rice. A variety of rice with long firm grains, used chiefly in curries and other savoury dishes.
- Indian rice1809–a. Any of several kinds of North American wild rice (genus Zizania); esp. Z. aquatica, which grows in shallow water and was formerly an important…
- water rice1811–Wild rice (genus Zizania) (see rice, n.² 3a).
- pulut1820–In Malaysia: a kind of glutinous rice. Also attributive, esp. in pulut rice.
- gold-seed1822–a. A variety of rice with a yellowish husk, grown in the southern United States (frequently attributive) (now historical); †b. crested dogstail…
- dhan1832–Rice in the husk.
- hungry rice1858–A grain allied to millet, Paspalum exile, much cultivated in West Africa.
- swamp rice1861–= Canada, n.¹ rice.
- bomba1914–More fully bomba rice. A variety of short-grained rice that retains a firm texture after cooking, chiefly used in paella.
- Menominee1949–North American. With lower-case initial. = menomin, n. rare.
- miracle rice1968–A modern hybrid rice with an exceptionally high yield.
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.
Consonants
b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values
- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige
Vowels
- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot
Forms
Variant forms
- 1500szizaniam
- 1500s–zizania
Frequency
zizania typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.
zizania is in frequency band 2, which contains words occurring between 0.001 and 0.01 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency of zizania, n., 1750–2010
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.
The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.
For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.
| Decade | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 1750 | 0.0092 |
| 1760 | 0.0095 |
| 1770 | 0.01 |
| 1780 | 0.015 |
| 1790 | 0.017 |
| 1800 | 0.019 |
| 1810 | 0.028 |
| 1820 | 0.031 |
| 1830 | 0.031 |
| 1840 | 0.031 |
| 1850 | 0.026 |
| 1860 | 0.024 |
| 1870 | 0.02 |
| 1880 | 0.012 |
| 1890 | 0.0085 |
| 1900 | 0.0074 |
| 1910 | 0.0058 |
| 1920 | 0.0052 |
| 1930 | 0.0046 |
| 1940 | 0.0038 |
| 1950 | 0.004 |
| 1960 | 0.0033 |
| 1970 | 0.0032 |
| 1980 | 0.0031 |
| 1990 | 0.003 |
| 2000 | 0.0028 |
| 2010 | 0.0028 |