zemihttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zemi_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezemi, n.
Revised 2018

zeminoun

Chiefly historical.
  1. 1555–
    A god or ancestral spirit venerated by the Taino, an Indigenous people formerly inhabiting the Caribbean (cf. Taino n. & adj.); a representation of such a god or spirit, esp. one taking the form of a carved triangular object of stone or shell.
    1. 1555
      In thenterance of this caue they haue twoo grauen Zemes [Latin zemes].
      R. Eden, translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde i.ix. f. 45
    2. 1555
      He persuadeth hym that his Zemes [L.zemen] is angry, eyther bycause he hath not buylded hym a chapell, or not honored hym religiously.
      R. Eden, translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde i.ix. f. 46
    3. 1650
      Such are the Zemes among the Indians so often spoken of by Peter Martyr..; Every King among them hath such a..Zeme.
      T. Thorowgood, Iewes in Amer. 15
    4. 1664
      In the Indies, the Catholick Spaniards took away the Zemes or Images of their Idols.
      J. Owen, Vindication of Animadversions on Fiat Lux xxi. 487
    5. 1760
      The Zemes communicated themselves more particularly to the Butios, for thus they called their priests.
      T. Jefferys, Natural & Civil History of French Dominions in North & South Amer. vol. II. 14
    6. 1792
      His once-lov'd isle, For crimes yet unaton'd, dread Zemi thus To desolation and to death consigns.
      B. Edwards, Poems 19
    7. 1851
      Through these Zemi the kings governed the people.
      E. Jones, Notes to People vol. I. 56/1
    8. 1891
      Certain of these Zemes had prophetic powers, and by a skillful arrangement a concealed person was able to utter responses through the medium of the Zeme.
      American Anthropologist vol. 4 172
    9. 1902
      They recognized and worshipped many supernatural beings, which they represented by idols to which they have the name zemis.
      Science 18 July 101/2
    10. 1962
      Sickness or misfortune were the work of malignant or displeased zemes.
      M. Craton, Hist. Bahamas ii. 27
    11. 2005
      The role of zemís in Taíno culture has similarities and differences to the role of sacred images in their ancestral South American homeland.
      N. J. Saunders, Peoples of Carib. 323

zemi, n. was revised in June 2018.

zemi, n. was last modified in July 2023.