zână

• dzână — Moldavia (region)
• ḑână — obsolete

Inherited form of Latin Diāna. Compare Aromanian dzãnã (“fairy”), Asturian xana (“child-exchanging nymph”), Sardinian giàna, Old French gene (“fairy”); compare also Albanian zanë. Other survivals of ancient god names in Romance include Spanish huerco, from Latin Orcus, and Old French netun (“marine monster”), from Neptune.

• IPA^(key): [ˈzɨnə]

zână f (plural zâne)

1. (mythology) A fairy.
   • 1716, Dimitrie Cantemir, Descriptio Moldaviae:

     DZINA, quam vocem a Dianae denominatione deductam suspicareris. Raro tamen singulari numero eam celebrant, sed plerumque plurali Dzinele utuntur, feruntque virgines esse formosissimas et venustatis largitrices.

     The fairy which might be derived from the name of Diana. However, they rarely celebrate her in the singular, but usually use the plural fairies, which are most beautiful virgins and bestowers of beauty.

2. (slang, derogatory) A faggot, an especially effeminate homosexual.

• zănatic
• sânziană