Z(n.) Z, the twenty-sixth and last letter of the English alphabet, is a vocal consonant. It is taken from the Latin letter Z, which came from the Greek alphabet, this having it from a Semitic source. The ultimate origin is probably Egyptian. Etymologically, it is most closely related to s, y, and j; as in glass, glaze; E. yoke, Gr. /, L. yugum; E. zealous, jealous. See Guide to Pronunciation, // 273, 274.
Thesaurus Entries
Z, accident, action, anagnorisis, angle, apodosis, architectonics, architecture, argument, atmosphere, background, bad luck, bitter end, bloodless revolution, blow, bouleversement, breakdown, breaking up, breakup, calamity, casualty, cataclysm, cave, cave-in, ceasing, cessation, characterization, clean slate, clean sweep, climax, coda, collapse, collision, color, completion, complication, computer revolution, conclusion, consummation, continuity, contretemps, contrivance, convulsion, counterrevolution, crack of doom, crack-up, crash, culmination, curtain, curtains, death, debacle, decease, denouement, design, destination, destiny, development, device, disaster, doom, effect, end, end point, end result, ending, envoi, epilogue, episode, eschatology, expiration, fable, failure, falling action, fate, fiasco, final result, final solution, final twitch, final words, finale, finality, finis, finish, gimmick, goal, grief, ill hap, incident, izzard, last, last act, last breath, last gasp, last things, last trumpet, last words, latter end, line, local color, misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap, mood, motif, movement, mythos, nasty blow, omega, overthrow, overturn, palace revolution, payoff, period, peripeteia, peroration, pileup, plan, plot, quietus, radical change, recognition, resolution, resting place, revolt, revolution, revolutionary war, revulsion, rising action, scheme, secondary plot, shipwreck, shock, slant, smash, smashup, spasm, staggering blow, stoppage, stopping place, story, striking alteration, structure, subject, subplot, subversion, swan song, sweeping change, switch, tabula rasa, technological revolution, term, terminal, termination, terminus, thematic development, theme, tone, topic, total change, total loss, tragedy, transilience, twist, upset, violent change, washout, windup, wrack, wreck