zesthttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zest_v%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezest, v.
Revised 2018

zestverb

  1. 1.
    1702–
    transitive. To scrape the zest from (a citrus fruit) for use as a flavouring.
    In quot. 1702: to cut the peel of (a citrus fruit) into strips.
    rare before the second half of the 20th cent.
    1. 1702
      To Zest, is to cut the Peel, from top to bottom, into small Slips, as thin, as it can possibly be done.
      J. K., translation of F. Massialot, New Instr. Confectioners 57 in Court & Country Cook
    2. 1827
      Four ounces of sugar (on which has been zested two lemons).
      Domestic Econ. & Cookery for Rich & Poor 534
    3. 1978
      Begin zesting the citrus using a very sharp vegetable peeler.
      House & Garden June 136/1
    4. 1994
      Zest the lemons. Squeeze out the juice.
      Caterer & Hotelkeeper 2 June (Chef Supplement) 8/3
    5. 2002
      As I zested the lemon, her clear blue eyes widened. ‘That's zesting?’ she said. ‘I thought it meant taking the whole peel off.’
      New York Times Magazine 22 September 86/1
    6. 2014
      Zest the limes and reserve the zest for the vinaigrette.
      N. Vienneau, Third Thursday Community Potluck Cookbook 170
  2. 2.
    1705–
    transitive. To add zest to; to add flavour, relish, or piquancy to. Frequently figurative and in figurative contexts.
    1. 1705
      My Lord, when my Wine's Right I never care it shou'd be Zested.
      C. Cibber, Careless Husband iii. i. 31
    2. 1710
      Heaven is sometimes pleased with Bitterness to Zest the Bowl of Bliss!
      D. Manley, Memoirs of Europe vol. II. Ded. p. vii
    3. 1737
      Many more expressions not quite so strongly zested, though but few degrees weaker.
      Lord Hervey, Memoirs (1848) vol. II. xxx. 288
    4. 1760
      Hundreds sunk to the bottom by one broadside, furnish out the topic of the day and zest his coffee.
      O. Goldsmith in Public Ledger 17 January 20/1
    5. 1862
      Ye who zest the turtle's nest With the eagle's eyrie.
      G. Meredith, Marian ii
    6. 1871
      One autumn morning, zested with a sharp frosty feeling.
      H. Marshall, For very Life i. i
    7. 1902
      Soft crab high zested with brandy and wine.
      New England Magazine January 636/1
    8. 1980
      A fiery Bloody Mary spiced with some fierce local pepper sauce and zested with limes.
      Field & Stream April 156/2
    9. 1996
      The plant has a tangy, lemon flavour and is sometimes used to zest food.
      J. Onderstall, Wild Flower Guide 104

zest, v. was revised in June 2018.

zest, v. was last modified in July 2023.