Defn: In Russia, an elective local district and provincial administrative assembly. Originally it was composed of representatives elected by the peasantry, the householders of the towns, and the landed proprietors. In the reign of Alexander III. the power of the noble landowners was increased, the peasants allowed only to elect candidates from whom the governor of the province nominated the deputy, and all acts of the zemstvo subjected to the approval of the governor. Theoretically the zemstvo has large powers relating to taxation, education, public health, etc., but practically these powers are in most cases limited to the adjustment of the state taxation.
ZENANA Ze*na"na, n. Etym: [Hind. zenana, zanana, fr. Per. zanana, fr. zan woman; akin to E. queen.]
Defn: The part of a dwelling appropriated to women. [India]
ZEND
Zend, n. Etym: [See Zend-Avesta.]
Defn: Properly, the translation and exposition in the Huzvâresh, or literary Pehlevi, language, of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian sacred writings; as commonly used, the language (an ancient Persian dialect) in which the Avesta is written.
ZEND-AVESTA Zend`-A*ves"ta, n. Etym: [Properly, the Avesta, or sacred text, and its zend, or interpretation, in a more modern and intelligible language. W. D. Whitney.]
Defn: The sacred writings of the ancient Persian religion, attributed to Zoroaster, but chiefly of a later date.
ZENDIK
Zen"dik, n. Etym: [Ar. zandik.]
Defn: An atheist or unbeliever; — name given in the East to those charged with disbelief of any revealed religion, or accused of magical heresies.
ZENICK
Ze"nick, n. (Zoöl.)