zəun n. & v. --n. 1 an
area having
particular features, properties,
purpose, or
use (danger zone;
erogenous zone;
smokeless zone). 2
any well-defined
region of
more or
less beltlike
form. 3 a an area
between two exact or
approximate concentric circles. b a
part of
the surface of a
sphere enclosed between two
parallel planes, or of a
cone or
cylinder etc., between
such planes
cutting it perpendicularly to the axis. 4 (in full
time zone) a
range of longitudes
where a
common standard time is used. 5 Geol. etc. a range between specified limits of
depth,
height, etc.,
esp. a
section of
strata distinguished by
characteristic fossils. 6 Geog. any of
five divisions of the
earth bounded by circles parallel to the
equator (see
FRIGID,
TEMPERATE, TORRID). 7 an encircling
band or
stripe distinguishable in
colour,
texture, or
character from the rest of the
object encircled. 8
archaic a
belt or girdle
worn round the
body. --v.tr. 1
encircle as or
with a zone. 2
arrange or
distribute by zones. 3
assign as or to a particular area. øøzonal adj. zoning n. (in
sense 3 of v.). [F zone or L zona girdle f. Gk zone]
