Zoroastrianism |
the religion of the Persians prior to their conversion to Islam, which is based on the belief in a supreme deity, Ahura Mazda, and which emphasizes the struggle between good and evil. |
Zouave |
a member of a former French infantry unit, originally composed of Algerians and characterized by their colorful Oriental uniforms and precision drilling. [2 definitions] |
zoysia |
any of various creeping grasses, native to Asia and Australia, that are used esp. for lawn grass. |
ZPG |
abbreviation of "zero population growth," a condition in a given population in which the number of live births equals the number of deaths, so that the population remains constant. |
Zr |
symbol of the chemical element zirconium. |
zucchetto |
in the Roman Catholic Church, a skullcap, of varying colors depending on the wearer's rank, worn by clergy members. |
zucchini |
a type of summer squash that has a smooth, dark green rind and is cucumber-shaped. |
Zulu |
a southeastern African people, or any member or descendant thereof. [3 definitions] |
Zuni |
a member of a North American tribe of formerly pueblo-dwelling Indians of western New Mexico. [2 definitions] |
zwieback |
a type of sweet bread made with eggs, which, after being baked, is sliced and toasted until crisp. |
zydeco |
a dance music of southern Louisiana originating among blacks that contains elements of Caribbean music, white Cajun dance melodies, and the blues, usu. played on a combination of the accordion, guitar, and washboard. |
zygo- |
connected; yoked; paired. |
zygospore |
in botany, a spore formed by the joining of two similar gametes, as in certain algae and fungi. |
zygote |
a cell formed by the union of two gametes or sex cells. [2 definitions] |
zymase |
an enzyme found in yeast that decomposes sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. |
zymo- |
fermentation. [2 definitions] |
zymogen |
an inactive protein that has the potential to become an enzyme because of an internal change. |
zymology |
the science involving the chemistry of fermentation; enzymology. |
zymurgy |
the branch of chemistry that deals with the fermentation process, as in beer brewing or winemaking. |