ə noun, plural nem·e·ses 
[-seez] .
[-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:
< Latin < Greek némesis literally, a dealing out, verbid of némein to dispense (justice); see -sis
< Latin < Greek némesis literally, a dealing out, verbid of némein to dispense (justice); see -sis
Synonyms
1. Waterloo. 4. downfall, undoing, ruin, Waterloo.
1. Waterloo. 4. downfall, undoing, ruin, Waterloo.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To nemesis
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Nemesis
is a PSAT word you need to know.
So is symmetry. Does it mean:
| a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: |
| the correspondence in size, form, and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a plane, line, or point |
Collins
World English Dictionary
Nemesis (ˈnɛmɪsɪs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -ses | |
| 1. | Greek myth the goddess of retribution and vengeance |
| 2. | (sometimes not capital) any agency of retribution and vengeance |
| [C16: via Latin from Greek: righteous wrath, from némein to distribute what is due] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
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.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Nearby Words
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