~ 1
■ noun ( plural ~zes )
1》 a test of knowledge, especially as a competition for entertainment.
2》 informal, chiefly Brit. a period of questioning.
3》 N. Amer. a short test or examination.
■ verb ( ~zes , ~zing , ~zed )
1》 question (someone).
2》 N. Amer. test or examine (students).
Origin
C19 (as v.; orig. US): possibly from ~ 2 , influenced by inquisitive .
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~ 2
archaic
■ verb ( ~zes , ~zing , ~zed )
1》 look intently at (someone) through or as if through an eyeglass.
2》 make fun of.
■ noun ( plural ~zes )
1》 a hoax.
↘a person who ridicules or hoaxes another.
2》 an odd or eccentric person.
Derivatives
~zer noun
Origin
C18: origin uncertain; possibly a deliberately coined nonsense word.