Part 38

Milton.

Ze"quin (?), n. See Sequin.

||Zer"da (?), n. [Of African origin.] (Zoöl.) The fennec.

||Ze*ri"ba (?), n. (Mil.) Same as Zareba.

Ze"ro (?), n.; pl. Zeros (#) or Zeroes. [F. zéro, from Ar. çafrun, çifrun, empty, a cipher. Cf. Cipher.]

1. (Arith.) A cipher; nothing; naught.

2. The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences.

Zero in the Centigrade, or Celsius thermometer, and in the Réaumur thermometer, is at the point at which water congeals. The zero of the Fahrenheit thermometer is fixed at the point at which the mercury stands when immersed in a mixture of snow and common salt. In Wedgwood's pyrometer, the zero corresponds with 1077° on the Fahrenheit scale. See Illust. of Thermometer.

3. Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero.

Absolute zero. See under Absolute. -- Zero method (Physics), a method of comparing, or measuring, forces, electric currents, etc., by so opposing them that the pointer of an indicating apparatus, or the needle of a galvanometer, remains at, or is brought to, zero, as contrasted with methods in which the deflection is observed directly; -- called also null method. -- Zero point, the point indicating zero, or the commencement of a scale or reckoning.

<! p. 1679 !>

Zest (?), n. [F. zeste, probably fr. L. schistos split, cleft, divided, Gr. &?;, from &?; to split, cleave. Cf. Schism.]

1. A piece of orange or lemon peel, or the aromatic oil which may be squeezed from such peel, used to give flavor to liquor, etc.

2. Hence, something that gives or enhances a pleasant taste, or the taste itself; an appetizer; also, keen enjoyment; relish; gusto.

Almighty Vanity! to thee they owe Their zest of pleasure, and their balm of woe.

Young.

Liberality of disposition and conduct gives the highest zest and relish to social intercourse.

Gogan.

3. The woody, thick skin inclosing the kernel of a walnut. [Obs.]

Zest, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Zested; p. pr. & vb. n. Zesting.]

1. To cut into thin slips, as the peel of an orange, lemon, etc.; to squeeze, as peel, over the surface of anything.

2. To give a relish or flavor to; to heighten the taste or relish of; as, to zest wine. Gibber.

||Ze"ta (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;. Cf. Zed.] A Greek letter [&zeta;] corresponding to our z.

Ze*tet"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to seek: cf. F. zététique.] Seeking; proceeding by inquiry.

Zetetic method (Math.), the method used for finding the value of unknown quantities by direct search, in investigation, or in the solution of problems. [R.] Hutton.

Ze*tet"ic, n. A seeker; -- a name adopted by some of the Pyrrhonists.

Ze*tet"ics (?), n. [See Zetetic, a.] (Math.) A branch of algebra which relates to the direct search for unknown quantities. [R.]

Zeu"glo*don (?), n. [Gr. &?; the strap or loop of a yoke + &?;, &?;, tooth.] (Paleon.) A genus of extinct Eocene whales, remains of which have been found in the Gulf States. The species had very long and slender bodies and broad serrated teeth. See Phocodontia.