zest

noun

Pronunciation: /zɛst/

Etymology: Borrowed from French zeste.

The outer skin of a citrus fruit, used as a flavouring or garnish.
“The orange zest gives the strong flavor in this dish.”
General vibrance of flavour.
“I add zest to the meat by rubbing it with a spice mixture before grilling.”
“He rolled his own cigarettes from a sack of Bull Durham, spilling flakes into his beer, which no doubt gained in zest thereby.”
Enthusiasm; keen enjoyment; exciting and interesting; relish or gusto; a state of being zesty.
“Auntie Mame had a real zest for life.”
“1728, Edward Young, Love of Fame, the Universal Passion, Satire II in The Works of the Reverend Edward Young, London: P. Brown, H. Hill & S. Payne, 1765, Volume I, p. 85, Almighty vanity! to thee they owe Their zest of pleasure, and their balm of woe.”
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.”
State of being a flamboyant or effeminate homosexual.

Etymology: Borrowed from French zeste.

To scrape the zest from a fruit.
To make more zesty.
“Strains ſo artleſs tho’ we proffer, Hearts o’er flowing zest the offer.”