zigzag

Word family

Related topics: Shapes, patterns

zig·zag1 /ˈzɪɡzæɡ/ noun [countableC]

CFBENDa pattern that looks like a line of z’s joined together Z字形，之字形；锯齿纹

a zigzag path along the cliff

一条依着悬崖而行的之字形小路

→5 see picture at 见图 pattern1

Examples from the Corpus

zigzag• The male moth flies in a zigzag pattern.• He noticed that they continually moved in a zigzag fashion.• Instead of trying to escape by moving as fast as possible away from the predator, some animals take an erratic zigzag course.• By seeking high dividends, the stock returns are cushioned somewhat from market zigzags.• It's a steep, zigzag path up a mountainside.• He is barely stuffed into a colorful Speedo with zigzags of red and green on blue.

zigzag2 verb (zigzagged, zigzagging) [intransitiveI]

BENDto move forward in sharp angles, first to the left and then to the right etc 作之字形行进，曲折移动

The path zigzagged down the hillside.

小路沿着山坡蜿蜒而下。

Examples from the Corpus

zigzag• A running back will likely find his face in the mud if he can not zigzag.• The only way forward was to zigzag.• Days are not spent zigzagging across the mountain from one lift to the next.• The zigzagging cracks caught every color of light in the room.• ski routes zigzagging down the mountainside• The path zigzagged from side to side through the steep gully.• Stock prices followed the rout in bonds in the morning only to zigzag to record highs in the afternoon.• The workmen's stairway zigzagged to the top of the scaffolding.• In some places the topsoil had been eroded and we had to zigzag up on loose scree.

Origin zigzag1

(1700-1800) French probably from German zickzack

zig·zag1 nounzigzag2 verb

Chinese

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