Chapter Z to Zephon of Z by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Zelotes (3 syl.) or Sicarii were pious assassins among the Jews, who imposed on themselves the task of killing all who broke the Mosaic law. (Mishnah: Sanhedrim, ix. 6.)

“Simon Zelotes was probably a disciple of Judas the Gaulonite, leader of a party of the Kenaim (Sicarii).”- Renan: Life of Jesus, ix.

Zem The sacred well of Mecca. According to Arab tradition, this is the very well that was shown to Hagar when Ishmael was perishing of thirst. Mecca is built round it.

Zenchis Khan [great chief ]. A title assumed in 1206 by Temoudin, a Persian rebel, in the presence of 100 tribes. His progress was like that of a destroying angel, and by his sword Persia became part of the vast Mogul empire.

Zend-Avesta The great work of Zoroaster, or rather Zarathustra, the Mede, who reformed the Magian religion. It is the Avesta or “Living Word,” written in the Zend language (B.C. 490). It now contains the Yacna, the Vispered, the Vendidad, and the Khordah-Avesta.

“The sacred writings of the Parsees have usually been called Zend-Avesta by Europeans; but this is, without doubt, an inversion of the proper order of the words, as the Pahlavi books always style them `Avisták-va-Zand' (text and commentary).”- Hang: Essays on the Parsis, Essay iii. p. 19.

Zenelophon A corruption of Penelophon. The beggar-maid loved by King Cophetua.

“The magnanimous and most illustrate king Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious and indubitate beggar Zenelophon.”- Shakespeare: Love's Lobour's Lost, iv. 1.

Zenith, Nadir Zenith is the point of the heavens immediately over the head of the spectator. Nadir is the opposite point, immediately beneath the spectator's feet. (French, zénith, nadir.)

Zephon [scarcher of secrets ]. The cherub despatched by Gabriel to find Satan, after his flight from hell. Ithuriel goes with him. (Milton: Paradise Lost, iv. 788-796.)