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nadir

 - 3 dictionary results

na⋅dir

  [ney-der, ney-deer]
Use nadir in a Sentence
–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; ME ≪ Ar naẓīr over against, opposite to (the zenith)

Related forms:
na⋅dir⋅al, adjective

Synonyms:
3. bottom, floor, foot, depths.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To nadir
na·dir   (nā'dər, -dîr')   
n.  

  1. Astronomy A point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer, diametrically opposite the zenith.

  2. The lowest point: the nadir of their fortunes.


[Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Arabic naẓīr (as-samt), opposite (the zenith), from naẓara, to see, watch; see nr in Semitic roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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