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nemesis

 - 4 dictionary results

nem⋅e⋅sis

  [nem-uh-sis]
Use nemesis in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ses  [-seez] .
1. something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc.: The performance test proved to be my nemesis.
2. an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
3. (initial capital letter) Classical Mythology. the goddess of divine retribution.
4. an agent or act of retribution or punishment.
Origin:
< L < Gk némesis lit., a dealing out, verbid of némein to dispense (justice); see -sis

Synonyms:
1. Waterloo. 4. downfall, undoing, ruin, Waterloo.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To nemesis
nem·e·sis   (něm'ĭ-sĭs)   
n.   pl. nem·e·ses (-sēz')

  1. A source of harm or ruin: Uncritical trust is my nemesis.

  2. Retributive justice in its execution or outcome: To follow the proposed course of action is to invite nemesis.

  3. An opponent that cannot be beaten or overcome.

  4. One that inflicts retribution or vengeance.

  5. Nemesis Greek Mythology The goddess of retributive justice or vengeance.


[Greek, retribution, the goddess Nemesis, from nemein, to allot; see nem- in Indo-European 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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Cultural Dictionary

Nemesis [(nem-uh-sis)]

In classical mythology, the Greek goddess of vengeance.

Note: By extension, a “nemesis” is an avenger. One's nemesis is that which will bring on one's destruction or downfall.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

Nemesis 
1576, "Gk. goddess of vengeance," from nemesis "just indignation, jealousy, vengeance," lit. "distribution," related to nemein "distribute, allot, apportion one's due," from PIE base *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot, to take" (cf. O.E., Goth. niman "to take," Ger. nehmen). With a lower-case -n-, in the sense of "retributive justice," attested from 1597. General sense of "anything by which it seems one must be defeated" is 20c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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