See Also: zigzag(1)(dictionary)
zigzag(2)(dictionary)
zigzag 1, noun(dictionary)
zigzag 2, verb(dictionary)

zigzag(1) (iou)



zigzag noun, adjective, & adverb. E18.
[French zigzag, ziczac from German Zickzack, of symbolic formation suggesting alternation of direction, applied first to fortifications.]
A. noun.
A line or course having a series of abrupt alternate right and left turns; a series of short lines inclined at angles in alternate directions. Orig. in in zigzag [= French en zigzag]. E18.
E. Blair Lightning flashed, an enormous zigzag of it ripping across the sky.
b. Each of the turns or sections of such a line or course; fig. an abrupt change in direction. Usu. in pl. E18.
K. Ishiguro The path..rose up the mountain in zig-zags. fig.: Times Current developments might merely be the zigzags of Communist policy.
A thing having a zigzag shape; esp. (a) a road or path turning sharply at angles in alternate directions, esp. to reduce the gradient on a steep slope; each of the sharp turns forming such a road; (b) Fortification a trench leading towards a besieged place, constructed in a series of angles so as not to be enfiladed by the defenders; (c) Architecture a chevron moulding. E18.
(Zigzag.) (Proprietary name for) a kind of cigarette-paper. E20.
Comb.: zigzag machine a sewing machine with a swing needle that may be used to produce a zigzag stitch and decorative stitches derived from it.
b. adjective.
Having the form of a zigzag; turning sharply at angles in alternate directions; characterized by turns of this kind. M18.
Tolkien They slithered..in the dusk down the steep zig-zag path.
b. Architecture. Of a moulding or other ornament: having a zigzag pattern. M18.
zigzag connection Electrical Engineering a form of star connection of three-phase circuits, each branch of which is interconnected and contains portions of two consecutive phases. zigzag fence (N. Amer., now rare) = snake-fence s.v. SNAKE noun.
C. Wordsworth Columns of green basalt, with fantastic zigzag ornaments.
Of a bird, shell, etc.: having zigzag markings. L18.
Drunk. Military slang (chiefly US). E20.
C. adverb. In a zigzag manner or direction. M18.
D. DeLillo Scott found her walking zigzag in a nearly empty street.