zest /zɛst/noun 5verb 2forms 3 noun5 •The outer skin of a citrus fruit, used as a flavouring or garnish.The orange zest gives the strong flavor in this dish. •Enthusiasm; keen enjoyment; exciting and interesting; relish or gusto; a state of being zesty.Auntie Mame had a real zest for life. •(rare) The woody, thick skin enclosing the kernel of a walnut.The green zest of walnuts was used by the women to shine their teeth and it also gave a beautiful rust colour to their lips. — 2006 •General vibrance of flavour.I add zest to the meat by rubbing it with a spice mixture before grilling. •(slang, offensive) State of being a flamboyant or effeminate homosexual. verb2 •To scrape the zest from a fruit. •To make more zesty.Strains so artless tho’ we proffer, Hearts o’er flowing zest the offer. — 1792 formszested · zesting · zests
