zigzag, n., adj., and adv.
a. A series of short lines inclined at angles in alternate directions; a line or course having sharp turns of this kind; concrete something characterized by such lines or turns. Originally in in zigzag (= French en zigzag).
1712—1892(Hide quotations)
b. Each of such lines or turns: chiefly in plural.
1743—1875(Hide quotations)
c. figurative.
1782—1913(Hide quotations)
2. A road or path turning sharply at angles in alternate directions, esp. so as to reduce the gradient on a steep slope; each of the sharp turns forming such a road.
a1745—1890(Hide quotations)
a. Fortification. A trench leading towards a besieged place, constructed in a zigzag direction so as not to be enfiladed by the defenders; a boyau.
1733—1834(Hide quotations)
b. Architecture. A chevron-moulding.
1814—1884(Hide quotations)
c. Fisheries. (See quot.)
a1877—a1877(Hide quotations)
4. Collectors' name for a shell, or a moth, with zigzag marking.
1815—1815(Hide quotations)
5. ( Zig-Zag n. (also Zig Zag) .) A proprietary name for cigarette paper.
1909—1977(Hide quotations)
a. Having the form of a zigzag; turning sharply at angles in alternate directions; characterized by turns of this kind.
1752—1897(Hide quotations)
b. Architecture. Applied to a moulding or other ornament of a zigzag pattern: cf. A. 3b.
1765—1840(Hide quotations)
c. Botany. Applied to the stem of a plant, or to a plant having such a stem.
1793—1819(Hide quotations)
2. Having zigzag markings. (Chiefly Natural History.)
1785—1796(Hide quotations)
3. Military slang (chiefly U.S.). Drunk. Now rare.ⓘ
1916—1965(Hide quotations)
In a zigzag manner or direction.
1754—1862(Hide quotations)
Compounds
C1. zigzag-shaped adj.; zigzag fashion, zigzag-wise quasi-adverbs.
1758—1877(Hide quotations)
zigzag connection n. Electrical Engineering a form of star connection of three-phase circuits, each branch of which is interconnected and contains portions of two consecutive phases.
1922—1947(Hide quotations)
zigzag machine n. a sewing machine with a swing needle that may be used to produce a zigzag stitch and decorative stitches derived from it.
1952—1978(Hide quotations)