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A zigzag is a pattern made up of small corners at variable angles, though constant within the zigzag, tracing a path between two parallel lines; it can be described as both jagged and fairly regular. Traditionally a "zig" points in the left direction (/) and a "zag" points right (\). From the point of view of symmetry, a regular zigzag can be generated from a simple motif like a line segment by repeated application of a glide reflection. Equally it is the juxtaposition of chevrons, or of forward slashes and backslashes:
- /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ or ^^^^^^^^^
Lightning is often drawn as a zigzag, with long downward strokes and short backward ones. Stores of the defunct U.S. retail chain The Treasury (also Treasure Island) each had a distinct zigzag roof, many of which still survive on reused buildings nearly three decades after the chain closed. The roof zigzag was also seen on the store logo.
An automobile can move in a zigzag, that is, not going straight, but instead turning left and right and left repeatedly. In a city where streets are oriented toward the four cardinal directions, this would be illustrated by, for example, driving north, west, north, west, north, west, and so on around the city blocks, in order to go northwest. (This would not make the trip any shorter; however, it might avoid traffic.)
The trace of a triangle wave or a sawtooth wave is a zigzag. Pinking shears are designed to cut cloth or paper with a zigzag edge, to lessen fraying. Zigzags are a basic decorative pattern used on pottery, and often for the cuts which separate ravioli.
In sewing, a zigzag stitch is a machine stitch in a zigzag pattern. Tightly spaced zigzag stitches are used to emulate embroidery stitches such as satin stitch, and to reinforce buttonholes. A zigzag stitch is also used as a non-structural seam, to temporarily hold two panels together edge-to-edge (and eliminate the ridge that would "x-ray" through). This is done when another panel will overlay the seam and provide support.
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- This page was last modified on 1 November 2008, at 01:17.
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