nadir

[ 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.

   Synonyms: foot, floor, bottom

nadir

/ ˈneɪdɪə; ˈnæ- /

noun

1. the point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer and diametrically opposite the zenith
2. the lowest or deepest point; depths

   the nadir of despair

nadir

/ nā′dər /

1. The point on the celestial sphere that is directly below the observer (90 degrees below the celestial horizon ).
2. Compare zenith

Other Words From

• nadir·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nadir¹

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)”; zenith ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of nadir¹

C14: from Old French, from Arabic nazīr as-samt, literally: opposite the zenith

Example Sentences

But Zuckerberg hit a coolness nadir when paparazzi photographed him in Hawaii riding an electric surfboard with his bubble butt popped out and face lathered—absolutely caked—with bright-white zinc oxide sunscreen.

From Slate

Here, in their third road trip to the other side of the country, was the nadir of an already disastrous stretch for the Trojans, as Maryland capped a mad comeback to beat USC, 29-28, handing the Trojans their third straight loss and fourth in five weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr Uisdean Nicholson from Heriot-Watt University first found the Nadir crater in 2022, but a cloud of uncertainty hung over how it was really formed.

From BBC

The asteroid that created the Nadir crater measured around 450-500m wide, and scientists think it hit Earth at about 72,000km/h.

From BBC

The Nadir asteroid was about the size of Bennu, which is currently the most hazardous object orbiting near Earth.

From BBC

Related Words

• rock bottom