Z ::
Z () 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, // 273, 274..