nadir
Use Nadir in a sentence
dər, ˈneɪ noun
1.
Astronomy. the point on the celestial sphere directly beneath a given position or observer and diametrically opposite the zenith.
2.
Astrology. the point of a horoscope opposite the midheaven: the cusp of the fourth house.
3.
the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English ≪ Arabic naẓīr over against, opposite to (the zenith)
1350–1400; Middle English ≪ Arabic naẓīr over against, opposite to (the zenith)
Related forms
na·dir·al, adjective
Synonyms
3. bottom, floor, foot, depths.
3. bottom, floor, foot, depths.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To nadir
00:10
Nadir
is always a great word to know.
So is Aries. Does it mean:
| the Ram, a zodiacal constellation between Pisces and Taurus |
| the Lion, a zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Cancer, containing the bright star Regulus |
Collins
World English Dictionary
nadir (ˈneɪdɪə, ˈnæ-) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer and diametrically opposite the zenith |
| 2. | the lowest or deepest point; depths: the nadir of despair |
| [C14: from Old French, from Arabic nazīr as-samt, literally: opposite the zenith] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
nadir
c.1391, in astronomical sense, from M.L. nadir, from Arabic nazir "opposite to," in nazir as-samt, lit. "opposite of the zenith," from nazir "opposite" + as-samt "zenith" (see zenith). Transf. sense of "lowest point (of anything)" is first recorded 1793.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| nadir (nā'dər) Pronunciation Key
The point on the celestial sphere that is directly below the observer (90 degrees below the celestial horizon). Compare zenith. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
