Dictionary

zen en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈzɛn/

Etymology

From Zen. In more general use, popularized by Eugen Herrigel's 1948 Zen in the Art of Archery and Robert M. Pirsig's 1974 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Meanings

1. (alt-of) Alternative letter-case form of Zen: of or related to Zen Buddhism, particularly its focus on indirect teaching of wisdom through riddles and stories.
   alt of Zen
   • Greggs: You hung over? Just sayin', you look like shit. Moreland: You know what you need at a crime scene? Greggs: Rubber glove? Moreland: Soft eyes. Greggs: Like I'm s'posed to cry an' shit? Moreland: You got soft eyes, you can see the whole thing. You got hard eyes? You starin' at the same tree, missin' the forest. Greggs: Ah. Zen shit. Moreland: Soft eyes, grasshopper. 2006 Oct. 1, Dennis Lehane, "Refugees", The Wire, 00:37:10
2. (colloquial) Wise, displaying enlightenment or similar wisdom, insightful, unburdened and free of worries, extremely relaxed and capable.

Forms

wikipedia: Zen in the Art of Archery · wikipedia: Eugen Herrigel · wikipedia: Robert M. Pirsig · wikipedia: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

zen en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈzɛn/

Etymology

From Zen. In more general use, popularized by Eugen Herrigel's 1948 Zen in the Art of Archery and Robert M. Pirsig's 1974 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) Synonym of enlightenment, particularly the kind acquired through Zen meditation.
2. (uncountable) An approach to instruction, understanding, or an activity similarly emphasizing simplicity and intuition rather than conventional thinking or fixation on goals.
   • the zen of C++
   • the zen of cooking
   • the zen of passing the bar exam

Forms

Synonyms

particularly the kind acquired through Zen meditation · enlightenment · tao

wikipedia: Zen in the Art of Archery · wikipedia: Eugen Herrigel · wikipedia: Robert M. Pirsig · wikipedia: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance