Z

Z  (z[=e]; in England commonly, and in America sometimes, z[e^]d; formerly, also, [i^]z"z[e^]rd) 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, [sect][sect] 273, 274. [1913 Webster]