Defn: A double eight-sided pyramid, a form common with tetragonal crystals; — so called because this form often occurs in crystals of zircon.
ZITHER
Zith"er, n. Etym: [G. zither. See Cittern.] (Mus.)
Defn: An instrument of music used in Austria and Germany. It has from thirty to forty wires strung across a shallow sounding-board, which lies horizontally on a table before the performer, who uses both hands in playing on it.
Note: [Not to be confounded with the old lute-shaped cittern, or cithern.]
ZITTERN
Zit"tern, n. (Min.)
Defn: See Cittern.
ZIZANIA
Zi*za"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL., from L. zizanium darnel, cockle, Gr.
(Bot.)
Defn: A genus of grasses including Indian rice. See Indian rice, under Rice.
ZIZEL
Ziz"el, n. Etym: [G. ziesel.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The suslik. [Written also zisel.]