zigzag

Meanings

Noun

• a line or path that proceeds by sharp turns in alternating directions
• one of such sharp turns

Adjective

• Moving in, or having a zigzag.

Verb

• To move or to twist in a zigzag manner.

Adverb

• in a zigzag manner or pattern

Origin

• Attested from 1712. Borrowed from French zigzag (attested from 1662), possibly from a Germanic source via Walloon ziczac (although German Zickzack is attested only from 1703).