An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The generic name applied to books in Arabic and Persian that tabulate parameters used for astronomical calculations of positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the five planets of antiquity. Some examples: Zij al-Sindhind, by Khwarizmi (c. 780-850), Az-Zij as-Sabi by al-Battâni (Albatenius) (853-929), Zij-i Ilkhâni by Nassireddin Tusi (1201-1274), Zij-i Sultâni by Ulugh Brg (1437), → Toledan Tables, → Alfonsine Tables.

See also: The word is derived from Mid.Pers. zig, variant zih “cord, string” (Mod.Pers. zeh “cord, string”); Av. jiiā- “bow-string,” cognate with Skt. jiyā- “bow-string,” PIE base *g^whi- “thread, tendon” (from which derive also Gk. bios “bow”, L. filum “thread”, Russ. žca “thread”).

The term zig originally referred to the threads in weaving, but because of the similarity between the rows and columns of astronomical tables and the parallel threads, it came to be used for an astronomical table, and subsequently a set of tables.

The generic name applied to books in Arabic and Persian that tabulate parameters used for astronomical calculations of positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the five planets of antiquity. Some examples: Zij al-Sindhind, by Khwarizmi (c. 780-850), Az-Zij as-Sabi by al-Battâni (Albatenius) (853-929), Zij-i Ilkhâni by Nassireddin Tusi (1201-1274), Zij-i Sultâni by Ulugh Brg (1437), → Toledan Tables, → Alfonsine Tables.

See also: The word is derived from Mid.Pers. zig, variant zih “cord, string” (Mod.Pers. zeh “cord, string”); Av. jiiā- “bow-string,” cognate with Skt. jiyā- “bow-string,” PIE base *g^whi- “thread, tendon” (from which derive also Gk. bios “bow”, L. filum “thread”, Russ. žca “thread”).

The term zig originally referred to the threads in weaving, but because of the similarity between the rows and columns of astronomical tables and the parallel threads, it came to be used for an astronomical table, and subsequently a set of tables.

A metallic, lustrous, bluish-white → chemical element; symbol Zn. → Atomic number 30; → atomic weight 65.38; → melting point 419.58 °C; → boiling point 907 °C; → specific gravity 7.133 at 25 °C. It was recognized as a → metal as early as 1374.

Etymology (EN): From the Ger. Zink of unknown origin. Zinc compounds were known in prehistoric times, where they were used for healing wounds and for making brass.

Etymology (PE): Ruy, from Mid.Pers. rôy, rôd “copper, brass;” Av. raoiδita- “red, reddish;” cf. Skt. rohita- “red, reddish,” lohá- “red, reddish, reddish metal.”

A metallic, lustrous, bluish-white → chemical element; symbol Zn. → Atomic number 30; → atomic weight 65.38; → melting point 419.58 °C; → boiling point 907 °C; → specific gravity 7.133 at 25 °C. It was recognized as a → metal as early as 1374.

Etymology (EN): From the Ger. Zink of unknown origin. Zinc compounds were known in prehistoric times, where they were used for healing wounds and for making brass.

Etymology (PE): Ruy, from Mid.Pers. rôy, rôd “copper, brass;” Av. raoiδita- “red, reddish;” cf. Skt. rohita- “red, reddish,” lohá- “red, reddish, reddish metal.”

A common mineral, zirconium silicate, ZrSiO₄, occurring in small tetragonal crystals. The color is variable, usually brown to reddish brown, but also colorless, pale yellowish, green, or blue. A red variety, used as a gem, is called hyacinth. Zircon contains trace amounts of uranium and thorium and therefore can be used for radiometric datings. Also called jargon.

See also: From Ger. Zirkon, from Ar. zarqun “cinnabar, bright red,” from Pers. zargun “gold-colored,” from zar→ gold

• -gun “resembling; manner, fashion; color”
  (Mid.Pers. gônak “kind, species;” Av. gaona- “color”).

A common mineral, zirconium silicate, ZrSiO₄, occurring in small tetragonal crystals. The color is variable, usually brown to reddish brown, but also colorless, pale yellowish, green, or blue. A red variety, used as a gem, is called hyacinth. Zircon contains trace amounts of uranium and thorium and therefore can be used for radiometric datings. Also called jargon.

See also: From Ger. Zirkon, from Ar. zarqun “cinnabar, bright red,” from Pers. zargun “gold-colored,” from zar→ gold

• -gun “resembling; manner, fashion; color”
  (Mid.Pers. gônak “kind, species;” Av. gaona- “color”).

A metallic chemical element; symbol Zr. Atomic number 40; atomic weight 91.22; melting point about 1,852°C; boiling point 4,377°C; specific gravity 6.5 at 20°C. Zirconium was discovered in the mineral zirconia by the German chemist Martin-Heinrich Klaproth in 1789. It was first isolated by the Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1824 in an impure state and finally by the chemists D. Lely Jr. and L. Hamburger in a pure state in 1914.

See also: From → zircon.

A metallic chemical element; symbol Zr. Atomic number 40; atomic weight 91.22; melting point about 1,852°C; boiling point 4,377°C; specific gravity 6.5 at 20°C. Zirconium was discovered in the mineral zirconia by the German chemist Martin-Heinrich Klaproth in 1789. It was first isolated by the Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius in 1824 in an impure state and finally by the chemists D. Lely Jr. and L. Hamburger in a pure state in 1914.

See also: From → zircon.

A → diatomic molecule made up of → zirconium and → oxygen atoms. See → ZrO band.

See also: → zirconium; → band.

A → diatomic molecule made up of → zirconium and → oxygen atoms. See → ZrO band.

See also: → zirconium; → band.