zemindar

[ Pers.zemindár a landholder, from zemin land, and dár = holding, a holder.] In India, one of a cla of officials created under the Mogul Government of India. They have been regarded, first as district governors, secondly as landed proprietors, and thirdly as farmers or collectors of the government revenue on land. Their functions appear to have been to a great extent zěn-dik, s . [Arab.=an infidel, an atheist.] A name given in the East not only to disbelievers in revealed religion, but also to such as are accused of magical heresy. zê-nick, zê-nik, s. [Native name in parts of Africa.] road, a way, a path, a trail, a quarter, whencesamt - ar - ras = the zenith, the vert i- cal point of the heav- ens; as - samt =an azi- muth.] 1. Ord . Language & Astron .: The highest point in the heavens to a spectator at any given place, the point from which if the earth were absolutely spherical a perpen- dicular let fall would pa through its center. IMG:content-1118.jpg:[blocks in formation] "The sunne pa eth twise in the yeere through their zenith ouer their heads." -Hackluyt: Voy ages , iii. 731. IMG:content-1119.jpg:[blocks in formation] consisting of a telescope swinging upon pivots, and having attached to it an are graduated into de- grees and minutes. From the upper end of the telescope vertically hangs down a fine silver wire, terminated by a weight supported in water to keep it steady. It is used for the same purpose as the mural circle, viz., to ascertain the zenith distance of the several stars, but is more convenient from its greater portability. [MURAL-CIRCLE.] IMG:content-1120.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1121.jpg:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1122.jpg:[merged small][graphic][merged small] iba that we were defeated." - Absolute zero: The point at which any given body is supposed to contain no heat. It is-273 C. Temperatures reckoned from it are called absolute temperatures. It is fixed from observation of the fact that a gas is increased part of its volume for every degree of the Centigrade thermometer. zero-point, subst. The point indicating the commencement of any scale or reckoning. zero-potential, s. [POTENTIAL, B. 2.] zěst, subst . [O. Fr. zest (Fr. zeste ) = a piece of the skin of a citron or lemon, the English sense being due to the use of lemon or citron for flavoring, from Lat. schistos, schist us divided, from Gr. schistos from schizō -to divide.] *1. A piece of orange or lemon peel, used to give a flavor to liquor, or the fine thin oil that squirts out of it when squeezed; also the woody, thick skin quartering the kernel of a walnut. 2. Something which gives a relish pleasant taste; something which serves to enhance enjoy ment; hence, that quality which makes a thing enjoyable; a pleasant taste, a relish. "Liberality of disposition and conduct gives the high est zest and relish to social intercourse."- Cogan: Ethical Treat., Disc. 1. 3. Relish or keenne of pleasure experienced; keen enjoyment; gusto. "They joined and partook of the rude fare with the zest of fatigue and youth."- Lytton . (Ann andale.) zěst, v. t. [ZEST, 8. ] 1. To add a zest or relish to. "When my wine's right, I never care it should be zested."-Cibber: Carele Husband, iii. 2. To cut, as the peel of an orange or lemon, from top to bottom in thin slices, or to squeeze, as peel, over the surface of anything. zēta, s . [Lat. zeta , for diæta a chamber, a dwelling, from diaita =a way of living, mode of life, a dwelling.] A little closet or chamber; applied by some writers to the room over the porch of a Christian church, where the sexton or porter resided, and kept the church documents. ( Britton . )