nadir
[ ney-der, ney-deer ]
/ ˈneɪ dər, ˈneɪ dɪər /
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noun
Astronomy. the point on the celestial sphere directly beneath a given position or observer and diametrically opposite the zenith.
Astrology. the point of a horoscope opposite the midheaven: the cusp of the fourth house.
the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair.
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Origin of nadir
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nadir, nader, nadair, from Middle French nadir “point opposite the zenith,” from Medieval Latin nadir “point opposite the sun,” from Arabic naẓīr (as-samt) “opposite (the zenith)”; see also zenith
OTHER WORDS FROM nadir
na·dir·al, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH nadir
nadir , zenithWords nearby nadir
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for nadir
British Dictionary definitions for nadir
nadir
/ (ˈneɪdɪə, ˈnæ-) /
noun
the point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer and diametrically opposite the zenith
the lowest or deepest point; depthsthe nadir of despair
Word Origin for nadir
C14: from Old French, from Arabic nazīr as-samt, literally: opposite the zenith
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for nadir
nadir
[ nā′dər ]
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 © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.