First Known Use: circa 1674
Dictionary
zest
noun \ˈzest\
: lively excitement : a feeling of enjoyment and enthusiasm
: a lively quality that increases enjoyment, excitement, or energy
: small pieces of the skin of a lemon, orange, or lime that are used to flavor food
Full Definition of ZEST
1
: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (as an orange or lemon) used as flavoring
2
: an enjoyably exciting quality : piquancy <adds zest to the performance>
3
— zest·ful \-fəl\ adjective
— zest·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb
— zest·ful·ness noun
— zest·less \-ləs\ adjective
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Origin of ZEST
obsolete French (now zeste), orange or lemon peel (used as flavoring)
ZESTFULNESS Defined for Kids
zest
noun \ˈzest\
Definition of ZEST for Kids
1
: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (as an orange or lemon) used to flavor foods
2
: an enjoyable or exciting quality <Her humor added zest to the presentation.>
3
: keen enjoyment <They ate with zest.>
Word History of ZEST
The English word zest came from a French word zeste that means “the peel of an orange or a lemon.” Because their flavor made food more tasty and enjoyable, lemon and orange peels were used to season food. In time the word zest came to mean any quality that made life more enjoyable.
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