Chapter Zephyr to Zulfagar of Z by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Zodiac An imaginary belt or zone in the heavens, extending about eight degrees each side of the ecliptic.
   Signs of the Zodiac. The zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts, proceeding from west to east; each part is thirty degrees, and is distinguished by a sign. Beginning with “Arie,” we have first six northern and then six southern signs- i.e. six on the north side and six on the south side of the equator; beginning with “Capricornus,” we have six ascending and then six descending signs- i.e. six which ascend higher and higher towards the north, and six which descend lower and lower towards the south. The six northern signs are: Aries (the ram), Taurus (the bull), Gemini (the twins), spring signs; Cancer (the crab), Leo (the lion), Virgo (the virgin), summer signs. The six southern are: Libra (the balance), Scorpio (the scorpion), Sagittarius (the archer), autumn signs; Capricornus (the goat), Aquarius (the water-bearer) and Pisces (the fishes), winter signs. (Greek, zo-on, living creatures.)

   Our vernal signs the RAM begins,
   Then comes the BULL, in May the TWINS;-
   The CRAB in June, next LEO shines,
   And VIRGO ends the northern signs.
   The BALANCE brings autumnal fruits,
   The SCORPION stings, the ARCHER shoots;-
   December's GOAT brings wintry blast,
   AQUARIUS rain, the FISH come last. E. C. B.

Zohar The name of a Jewish book containing cabalistic expositions of the “books of Moses.” Traditionally ascribed to Rabbi Simon ben Yochi, first century; but probably belonging to the thirteenth century.

“The renowned Zohar is written in Aramaic, and is a commentary on the Pentateuch, according to its divisions into fifty-two hebdomadal lessons.”- Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. xii. p. 813.

Zoilism Harsh, ill-tempered criticism; so called from Zoilos (q.v.).

Zoilos (Latin, Zoilus). The sword of Zoilos. The pen of a critic. Zoilos was a literary Thersites, shrewd, witty, and spiteful. He was nicknamed Homeromastix (Homer's scourge), because he mercilessly assailed the epics of Homer, and called the companions of Ulysses in the island of Circe “weeping porkers” (“choiridia klaionta”). He also flew at Plato, Isocrates, and other high game.

“Pendentem volo Zoilum videre.” Martial.

Zola-ise To write like Zola, the French novelist, the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Zola is noted for his realistic novels, many of which are unfit for circulating libraries. His speciality is a reckless exposition of the licentious habits of the French. His historic novel, called the Débâcle, exposed the breakdown of Napoleon III. and his army in the Franco-German war (1870-1871).
   Other parts of speech from Zola are Zolaesque, Zolaisation, Zolaiser, etc.
    The most complimentary meaning of Zolaesque is the terrible descriptive style of writing. The more general meaning is licentious and coarsely erotic.

Zollverein meaning customs union, a commercial union of German states for the purpose of establishing a uniform tariff of duties. (Begun 1819.)

Zophiel An angelic scout of “swiftest wing.” The word means “God's spy.” (Milton: Paradise Lost, yi. 355.)

Zoraida (3 syl.). Daughter of Agimorato of Algiers, who becomes a Christian and elopes with Ruy Perez de Viedma, an officer of Leon. The story is told in an episode of Don Quixote, called The Captive's Life and Adventures. (Bk. iv. chap. ix.-xi.)

Zoraide (3 syl.) or Zoraida. The name of a yacht belonging to the squadron at Cowes. This name is taken from Rossini's Zoraidi et Coradin.

Zounds! An oath, meaning God's wounds.

Zulal That stream of Paradise, clear as crystal and delicious as nectar, which “the spirits of the just made perfect” drink of.