fem. -ana. Pl. -ani, -e. Also anglicized 6 cingane, 7–8 zingan; pl. 7, 9 zinganies. [Italian. For the etymology, see Miklosisch, in Denkschr. d. k. Akad. (Wien), XXVI. 55–64, Wiener, in Archiv f. d. Studium d. neueren Spr., CIX. 295–6.] = ZINGARO, -ARA.
1581. Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., I. (1586), 26. Your meaning is … that as it is lawfull onelie for the Cinganes to robbe, so these also haue priuiledge to plaie in open streete.
1600. J. Pory, trans. Leo’s Africa, VII. 290. In that iourney they are exceedingly molested by certaine theeues called Zingani.
1684. T. Smith, in Phil. Trans., XIV. 446. There are thousands of Gypsies or Zinganies in Turkey.
1722. Jon. Richardson, Statues Italy, 334. An Exquisite Madonna, a Half Figure only, the same Attitude as the Zingana.
a. 1733. Chishull, Trav. Turkey (1747), 93. A gang of Zingans, or gypses.
1838. W. Howitt, Rural Life Eng., I. 249. They were very sweet nondescripts, but not very perfect beggars; and far, far indeed from perfect Zinganies.
