zagaie | zagaye, n.

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

# † zagaie | zagayenoun

## Earlier version

- zagaie in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zagaie mean?

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

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around 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 zagaie come from?

Earliest known use

late 1500s

The earliest known use of the noun zagaie is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for zagaie is from 1590, in the writing of John Smythe, soldier, diplomat, and writer.

zagaie is a borrowing from French.

Etymons: French zagaie.

### Nearby entries

1. zabuton, n. 1879–
2. zac, n. 1898–
3. 'zackly | 'zactly, adv. 1886–
4. zad, n. 1669–
5. Zadokite, n. & adj. 1910–
6. zadruga, n. 1887–
7. zaffre | zaffer, n. 1662–
8. zaftig, adj. 1921–
9. zafu, n. 1965–
10. zag, n., adv., & v. 1793–
11. zagaie | zagaye, n.1590–1698
12. Zaghlulist, n. & adj. 1921–
13. zaguan, n. 1851–
14. Zahal, n. 1959–
15. zaibatsu, n. 1937–
16. Zaidi, n. 1709–
17. zaikai, n. 1968–
18. zaim, n. 1807–
19. zaire, n. 1967–
20. Zairean, n. & adj. 1972–
21. Zairese, adj. & n. 1974–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from French.
Etymon: French zagaie.
< French zagaie, reduced form of azagaye: see assegai n.

## Meaning & use

Obsolete.

1. 1590–1698
   = assegai n.
   1. 1590

      > Some numbers of Zagaias (which are double headed Lances).

      J. Smythe, Certain Discourses Weapons L 4
   2. 1687

      > They are very dextrous at the Zagaye.

      A. Lovell, translation of J. de Thévenot, Travels into Levant i. 35
   3. 1693

      > Long Hooks, Lances, Zagages [Fr. azzesgayes].

      T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux, translation of F. Rabelais, 3rd Book of Works Prologue 5
   4. 1698

      > The Sagay, which is a very light Half-Pike.

      translation of F. Froger, Relation of Voyage Coasts of Africa 12
   5. [1702

      > They..excell [in] the managing of the Zagaie; which is a sort of Stick about four Foot long, about an Inch Thick, round before and flat behind.

      W. J., translation of C. de Bruyn, Voyage to Levant xxii. 95]
   6. [1869

      > The ‘Estradiots’,..armed with a zagaie, or javelin, pointed at both ends.

      C. Boutell, translation of J. P. Lacombe, Arms & Armour vii. 102]
   weaponry
   1. gavelock Old English–
      A spear for throwing; a dart, javelin.
   2. wifle Old English–1459
      A dart, javelin, or spear; a battleaxe. Cf. whiffler, n.¹ a.
   3. dart c1330–
      A pointed missile weapon thrown by the hand; a light spear or javelin; also applied to pointed missiles in general, including arrows, etc.
   4. pile c1400–
      A stronghold, a castle, esp. a small castle or tower; = peel, n.² 3. Also figurative. Now archaic and rare.
   5. hurlbat c1450–1656
      A weapon, ? some form of club; in 16th cent. Latin-English Dictionaries, glossing Latin aclys (aclis) a small javelin. Obsolete.
   6. javelot 1489–1708
      A small spear or javelin thrown with the hand or from a catapult.
   7. espiot 1490
      A spear.
   8. gavelot a1500–1674
      A javelin or casting-spear.
   9. javelin 1513–
      A light spear thrown with the hand with or without the help of a thong; a dart.
   10. archegay 1523–1876
       An iron-pointed wooden dart; an assagai.
   11. framea 1545–
       A light, versatile spear with an iron head used by the ancient Germanic peoples.
   12. zagaie 1590–1698
       = assegai, n.
   13. bourdonasse 1596
       A light lance or javelin with a hollow shaft.
   14. assegai 1600–
       An iron-tipped hardwood spear, esp. one used by southern African peoples.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Forms

### Variant forms

Also 1500s zagaia, 1600s sagay.

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

zagaie, n. was last modified in December 2023.