zebra

[ zee-bruh; British also zeb-ruh ]

noun

, plural ze·bras, (especially collectively) ze·bra.

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 ze·bra but·ter·fly. 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

/ 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

Zebra

²

/ ˈzɛbrə; ˈziːbrə /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• zebrine, adjective
• ˈzebra-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• ze·bra·like ze·bra·ic [zi-, brey, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zebra¹

1590–1600; 1975–80 zebra fordef 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

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

Origin of zebra²

C20: from zero-coupon bond

Example Sentences

A theoretical astrophysicist from the University of Kansas may have solved a nearly two-decade-old mystery over the origins of an unusual "zebra" pattern seen in high-frequency radio pulses from the Crab Nebula.

From Science Daily

There, zebra mussels and quagga mussels have thrived and caused a major decline in the yellow perch fishery.

From Los Angeles Times

“This simple measure has served to prevent spreading quagga and zebra mussels and is equally effective in stopping the overland spread of golden mussels,” officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

"The Ministry will contribute 723 animals comprising 30 hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue wilderbeast, 300 zebras, 83 elephants and 100 elands," the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said in a statement.

From Salon

"The levels of nutrients are still high and of course the zebra mussels are still there."

From BBC