Bot. Also erron. zinia. [mod.L. (Linnæus, 1763), from the name of J. G. Zinn, a German botanist.] A plant of the genus so named of American composite plants, extensively cultivated for the beauty of their flowers.
1767. Abercrombie, Ev. Man his own Gard. (1803), 227. Pricking out and sowing less tender Annuals.… The principal sorts are … alkekengi or winter-cherry, tobacco-plant, zinnia, Indian corn,, gourds, &c.
1885. Pater, Marius, xi. I. 187. They visited the flower-market … and purchased zinias … to decorate the folds of their togas.
1910. Nation, 13 Aug., 702/1. Amid the hot and scentless glare of zinnias and dahlias, [etc.].
