Chapter Zabarell to Zeluco of Z by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Zadoc, in Dryden’s satire of Absalom and Achitophel, is Sancroft archbishop of Canterbury.

Zadoc the priest, whom shunning power and place,
His lowly mind advanced to David’s grace.
   —Pt. i. 801, 802 (1681).

Zaide , a young slave, who pretends to have be en ill-treated by Adraste , and runs to don Pèdre for protection. (For the rest, see Adraste, p. 10.) — Molière Le Sicilien ou L’Amour Peintre (1667).

Zaira, the mother of Eva Wentworth. She is a brilliant Italian, courted by de Courcy. When deceived by him, she meditates suicide, but forbears, and sees Eva die tranquilly, and the faithless de Courcy perish of remorse.—Rev. C. R. Maturin: Women (a novel, 1822).

Zakkum or Al Zakkûm, the tree of death, rooted in hell, as the tree of life was in Eden. It is called in the Korân “the cursed tree” (ch. xvii.). The fruit is extremely bitter, and any great evil or bitter draught is figuratively called al Zakkûm. The damned eat its bitter fruits and drink scalding hot water (ch. xxxvii.).

The unallayable bitterness
Of Zaccoum’s fruit accurst.
   —Southey: Thalaba the Destroyer, vii. 16 (1797).

Is this a better entertainment, or is it of the tree a Zakkûm?—Sale: Al Korán, xxxvii.

Zal, father of Roustam, or Rostam (q.v.). (See also Rodhaver, p. 925.)

Zambo, the issue of an Indian and a negro.

Zambullo (Don Cleophas Leandro Perez), the person carri ed through the air by Asmodeus to the steeple of St. Salvaador, and shown, in a moment of time, the interior of every private dwelling around.—Lesage: The Devil on Two Sticks (1707). Cleaving the air at a greater rate than don Cleophas Leandro Perez Zambullo and his familiar.—Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop (1840).

Zamharir (Al), that extreme cold to which the wicked shall be exposed after they leave the flames of hell or have drunk of the boiling water there.—Sale: Al Korân, vi. (notes).

Zamora, youngest of the three daughters of Balthazar. She is in love with Rolando, a young soldier, who fancies himself a woman-hater. (See Rolando, p. 928.)—Tobin: The Honeymoon (1804).

Zamti, the Chinese mandarin. His wife was Mandanê (q.v.).—Murphy: The Orphan of China (1761).

Zanga, the revengeful Moor, the servant of don Alonzo. The Moor hates Alonzo for two reasons (1) because he killed his father, and (2) because he struck him on the cheek; and although Alonzo has used every endeavour to conciliate Zanga, the revengeful Moor nurses his hate and keeps it warm. The revenge he wreaks is (1) to poison the friendship which existed between Alonzo and don Carlos by accusations against the don, and (2) to embitter the love of Alonzo for Leonora his wife. Alonzo, out of jealousy, has his friend killed, and Leonora makes away with herself. Having thus lost his best beloved, Zanga tells his dupe he has been imposed upon, and Alonzo, mad with grief, stabs himself. Zanga, content with the mischief he has done, is taken away to execution.—Young: The Revenge (1721).

“Zanga” was the great character of Henry Mossop (1729–1773). It was also a favourite part with J. Kemble (1757–1823).

Zangbar, a fabulous island near India; probably the same as Zanguebar (Zanzibar) on the east coast of Africa.

Zanoni, hero and title of a novel by lord Lytton. Zanoni is supposed to possess the power of communicating with spirits, prolonging life, and producing gold, silver, and precious stones (1842).