Gr. Antiq. [ad. Gr. ζυγίτης, f. ζυγόν: see ZYGON 2 and -ITE1.] In the ancient bireme or trireme, a rower of the upper or the middle tier: cf. THALAMITE, THRANITE.
1722. Humphreys, trans. Montfaucon’s Antiquity Explained, IV. II. viii. 143. There were three Ranges [of oars] in all, the lowest of which were call’d Thalamitæ, those in the middle Zygitæ, and the uppermost Thranitæ.
1888. Woodgate, Boating (Badm. Libr.), i. 17. In the bireme the zygite, as he sat on his bench, had behind him and below him his thalamite.
