I. ˈzē, chiefly Brit ˈzed, archaic or dial ˈizə(r)d noun
( plural z's or zs -ēz, -dz)
Usage: often capitalized, often attributive
1.
a. : the 26th and last letter of the English alphabet
b. : an instance of this letter printed, written, or otherwise represented
c. : a speech counterpart of orthographic z (as z in zone, haze or French zone, seize )
2. : a printer's type, a stamp, or some other instrument for reproducing the letter z
3. : someone or something arbitrarily or conveniently designated z: as
a. : the 26th in order or class
b. : the 25th in order or class when j is not used
c. : the 23d in order or class when j, v, and w are not used
d. : the third in order or class when x is made the first
4. : something having the shape of the letter z
a Z bar
5.
a. : unknown quantity 1
b. : z-coordinate
6. : a buzzing sound (as of snoring) — usually used in multiples (as z-z or zzz )
II. abbreviation
Usage: often capitalized
1. zero
2. zinc
3. zloty
4. zone
III. symbol
Usage: capitalized
1. atomic number
2. impedance
3. zenith distance
IV. noun
1. or z particle usually capitalized Z : a neutral elementary particle about 90 times heavier than a proton that along with the W particle is a transmitter of the weak force — called also Z 0 or Z 0 particle
2. often capitalized : wink II,1a
catch a few z's on a quiet graveyard shift — Joseph Wambaugh