Z — Z to Zephon (Part 1 of 2)

Zabian The Zabian world of fashion. The world of fashion that worships the stars, or men and women of notoriety. A Zabian is a worshipper of the sun, moon, and stars. The Chaldees and ancient Persians were Zabians.

“This is the new meteor, admired with so much devotion by the Zabian world of fashion.”- Belgravia, No. 1.

Zacocia King of Mozambec. Camoens, in his Lusiad, says that he received Vasco da Gama and his men with great hospitality, believing them to be Mahometans, but the moment he discovered that they were Christians all his kindness turned to the most rancorous hate. He tried to allure them into ambush, but, failing in this, sent to Gama a pilot to conduct the fleet to Mombaze (2 syl.), where the whole party would have been killed or reduced to slavery. This treachery failed also, because Venus drove the fleet in a contrary direction by a storm. The faithless pilot lastly attempted to run the ships upon hidden rocks, but the Nereids came to the rescue, and the pilot threw himself into the sea to escape the anger of the Portuguese adventurer. (Camoens: Lusiad, bks. i. ii.)

Zadkiel (3 syl.). Angel of the planet Jupiter. (Jewish mythology.)
   Zadkicl. The pen-name of Lieutenant Morrison, author of the Prophetic Almanac.

Zadoc in Dryden's satire of Absalom and Achitophel, is designed for Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury.

“Zadoc the priest, whom (shunning power and place),
His lowly mind advanced to David's [Charles II.] grace.”
Part i. lines 801-2.

Zakarija ibn Muhammed surnamed Kazwini, from Kaswîn, the place of his birth. De Sacy calls him “the Pliny of the East.” (1200-1283.)

Zakkum A tree growing in the Muhammadan hell, from which a food is prepared for the damned of inexpressible bitterness.

“How will it be for him whose food is Zakkum?”- The Koran.

Zal Son of Sâm Nerimân, exposed on Mount Elburz, because he was born with white hair, and therefore supposed to be the offspring of a deer. He was brought up by the wonderful bird Seemurgh (q.v.), and when claimed by his father, received from the foster-bird a feather to give him insight into futurity. (Persian mythology.)

Zanes The statues dispersed about the grounds on which the public games of Greece were celebrated. They were the produce of fines imposed on those who infringed the regulations.

Zanoni Hero of a novel so called by Lord Lytton. Zanoni is supposed to possess the power of communicating with spirits, prolonging life, and producing gold, silver, and precious stones.

Zan'y More correctly, Zanny (Italian zanni, a buffoon; Latin sannio, “sanna” means a grimace, and “sanneo” one who makes grimaces).

“For indeed,
He's like the `zani to a tumbler
That tries tricks after him to make men laugh.”
B. Jonson: Every Man out of his Humour, iv. 2.

“He belonged to one of those dramatic companies called zanni, who went about the country reciting and acting.”- John Inglesant, chap. xxvii

Zel A Moorish cymbal.

“Where, some hours since, was heard the swell
Of trumpet, and the clash of zel.”
Thomas Moore: Fire- Worshippers.

Zelica was in love with Azim. Azim left his native Bokhara to join the Persian army, and was taken captive by the Greeks. Report said “he was dead;” Zelica lost her reason, joined the harem of the Veiled Prophet as “one of the elect of Paradise,” and became “priestess of the faith.” When Azim joined the prophet's band, Zelica was appointed to lure him to his destruction, both of body and soul. They meet- Azim tells her to fly with him, but she tells him she is the prophet's bride, and flees from his embrace. After the death of the prophet Zelica puts on his veil, and Azim, thinking he sees the prophet, rushes on her and kills her. (Thomas Moore. Vciled Prophet of Khorassan; Lalla Rookh.)