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

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

"The traffic doesn't stop for me so what makes them think it will stop for parents, whether there is a zebra crossing or not. In the mornings, it's a fighting battle every day," she said.

From BBC