Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Zigzag

Zigzag , noun

[French zigzag, German zickzack, from zacke, zacken, a dentil, tooth. Compare Tack a small nail.]

1.
Something that has short turns or angles.
The fanatics going straight forward and openly, the politicians by the surer mode of zigzag. — Burke
2.
(Architecture) A molding running in a zigzag line; a chevron, or series of chevrons. See Illust. of Chevron, 3.
3.
(Fortification) See Boyau.

Zigzag , adjective

Having short, sharp turns; running this way and that in an onward course.

Zigzag , transitive verb

To form with short turns.

Zigzag , intransitive verb

To move in a zigzag manner; also, to have a zigzag shape. — R. Browning