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

Internal surveys found employee morale had plummeted from a high during the Obama administration to a nadir over the previous three years.

From Salon

A few weeks after that, the nadir got deeper, when Ohtani was lost for the season to elbow and oblique injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

Howard’s finale was the nadir, the 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago that ended the Americans’ streak of seven straight World Cup appearances.

From Seattle Times

But since that 6-10 nadir, it’s been ARMageddon from the Mariners’ hurlers, who have helped the team win its past four series.

From Seattle Times

Early last year a suspected Chinese spy balloon was floating in the same airspace above the frozen lakes of Alaska, triggering a full-blown international crisis and a nadir in US-China relations.

From BBC

Related Words

• rock bottom