1. (Bot.) A spore provided with one or more slender cilia, by the vibration of which it swims in the water.
Zoöspores are produced by many green, and by some olive-brown, algæ. In certain species they are divided
into the larger macrozoöspores and the smaller microzoöspores. Called also sporozoid, and swarmspore.
2. (Zoöl.) See Swarmspore.
Zoösporic
(Zo`ö*spor"ic) a. Of or pertaining to zoöspores; of the nature of zoöspores.
Zoötic
(Zo*öt"ic) a. [Gr. zw^,on an animal.] Containing the remains of organized bodies; — said of rock
or soil.
Zoötomical
(Zo`ö*tom"ic*al) a. [Cf. F. zootomique.] Of or pertaining to zoötomy.
Zoötomist
(Zo*öt"o*mist) n. [Cf. F. zootomiste.] One who dissects animals, or is skilled in zoötomy.
Zoötomy
(Zo*öt"o*my) n. [Zoö- + Gr. to cut: cf. F. zootomie.] The dissection or the anatomy of animals; —
distinguished from androtomy.
Zoötrophic
(Zo`ö*troph"ic) a. [Gr. . See Zoö-, and Trophic.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to the nourishment
of animals.
Zoozoo
(Zoo"zoo`) n. [Of imitative origin.] (Zoöl.) The wood pigeon. [Prov. Eng.]
Zope
(Zope) n. [G.] (Zoöl.) A European fresh-water bream
Zopilote
(Zo"pi*lote) n. [Sp.] (Zoöl.) The urubu, or American black vulture.
Zoril
(Zor"il) n. (Zoöl.) Same as Zorilla.
Zorilla
(Zo*ril"la) n. [Sp. zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F. zorille.] (Zoöl.) Either one
of two species of small African carnivores of the genus Ictonyx allied to the weasels and skunks. [Written
also zoril, and zorille.]
The best-known species (Ictonyx zorilla) has black shiny fur with white bands and spots. It has anal
glands which produce a very offensive secretion, similar to that of the skunk. It feeds upon birds and
their eggs and upon small mammals, and is often very destructive to poultry. It is sometimes tamed
by the natives, and kept to destroy rats and mice. Called also mariput, Cape polecat, and African
polecat. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the American skunk.
Zoroastrian
(Zo`ro*as"tri*an) a. Of or pertaining to Zoroaster, or his religious system.
Zoroastrian
(Zo`ro*as"tri*an) n. A follower of Zoroaster; one who accepts Zoroastrianism.
Zoroastrianism
(Zo`ro*as"tri*an*ism) n. The religious system of Zoroaster, the legislator and prophet of
the ancient Persians, which was the national faith of Persia; mazdeism. The system presupposes a good
spirit (Ormuzd) and an opposing evil spirit Cf. Fire worship, under Fire, and Parsee.
Zoroastrism
(Zo`ro*as"trism) n. Same as Zoroastrianism. Tylor.
Zoster
(||Zos"ter) n. [L., fr. Gr. girdle, zoster. See Zone.] (Med.) Shingles.
Zostera
(||Zos"te*ra) n. [NL.] (Bot.) A genus of plants of the Naiadaceæ, or Pondweed family. Zostera
marina is commonly known as sea wrack, and eelgrass.
Zosterops
(||Zos"ter*ops) n. [NL., fr. Gr. girdle + the eye.] (Zoöl.) A genus of birds that comprises the
white-eyes. See White-eye.
