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nadir - 5 dictionary results
na⋅dir
[ney-der, ney-deer] 
–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)
1350–1400; ME ≪ Ar 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. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To nadir
| na·dir (nā'dər, -dîr') n.
[Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Arabic naẓīr (as-samt), opposite (the zenith), from naẓara, to see, watch; see n  r 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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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Nadir
Na"dir\, n. [F., Sp., & It. nadir; all fr. Ar. nas[=i]ru's samt nadir, prop., the point opposite the zenith (as samt), in which nas[=i]r means alike, corresponding to. Cf. Azimuth, Zenith.]1. That point of the heavens, or lower hemisphere, directly opposite the zenith; the inferior pole of the horizon; the point of the celestial sphere directly under the place where we stand. 2. The lowest point; the time of greatest depression. The seventh century is the nadir of the human mind in Europe. --Hallam. Nadir of the sun (Astron.), the axis of the conical shadow projected by the earth. --Crabb.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : nadir
Spanish:
raro, poco común,
German:
selten,
Japanese:
珍しい
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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| 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.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
