zebra

[zee-bruh, zeb-ruh]

noun

plural

zebras ,

plural

zebra .

1. any of several horselike African mammals of the genus Equus, each species having a characteristic pattern of black or dark-brown stripes on a whitish background: all zebra species are threatened or endangered.

2. Also called zebra butterfly. a tropical butterfly, Heliconius charithonius, having black wings barred with yellow.

3. (initial capital letter),  a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter Z.

4. Football Slang.,  an official, who usually wears a black and white striped shirt.

5. British.,  zebra crossing.

Zebra

¹

/ ˈzɛbrə, ˈziːbrə /

noun

1. a noninterest-paying bond in which the accrued income is taxed annually rather than on redemption Compare zero

zebra

²

/ ˈzɛb-, ˈziːbraɪn, ˈzɛbrə, zɪˈbreɪɪk, ˈziːbrə /

noun

1. any of several mammals of the horse family ( Equidae ), such as Equus burchelli (the common zebra ), of southern and eastern Africa, having distinctive black-and-white striped hides

Other Word Forms

• zebrine adjective
• zebra-like adjective
• zebralike adjective
• zebraic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zebra¹

1590–1600; 1975–80 zebra for def. 4; < Portuguese zebra, zebro the Iberian wild ass ( Spanish cebra ), perhaps < Latin equiferus (Pliny) kind of wild horse, equivalent to equi- (combining form of equus horse) + ferus wild

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zebra¹

C20: from zero-coupon bond

Origin of Zebra²

C16: via Italian from Old Spanish: wild ass, probably from Vulgar Latin eciferus (unattested) wild horse, from Latin equiferus, from equus horse + ferus wild

Example Sentences

“I was like…hey, do you want to drive a zebra to work today with me and our magical fairyland?”

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Especially with the infamous zebra print pillowcase dress and other looks where you seem to tear things up and put different pieces together.

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Those raising flags on lampposts in recent weeks have used mostly union jacks, but others - particularly those painting roundabouts and zebra crossings - have chosen the St George's Cross, which symbolises the patron saint of England.

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Above Landman’s wrist, a zebra bends to graze, while a giraffe behind steps through a stand of wind-bent acacia trees.

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However, experiments in birds like the zebra finch help provide some answers as to why this species sings.

Read more on Salon