nadir etymology

Etymology:

• From French nadir, from Arabic نظير (naẓīr), meaning "opposite".

Meaning:

• The point on the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith (the point directly overhead).
• The lowest point, especially in terms of quality or value.

Origin:

• The Arabic word نظير (naẓīr) was used in astronomy to refer to the point on the celestial sphere that is opposite the zenith.
• The term was adopted into French as nadir and later into English in the 16th century.
• The sense of "lowest point" developed by analogy with the astronomical sense, since the nadir is the lowest point on the celestial sphere relative to the zenith.

nadir relate terms

• zenith

  Etymology Middle English zenith from Old French zenith from Old Provençal zenit

• sphere

  Etymology The word sphere comes from the Latin word sphaera which in turn comes from

• empyrean

  Etymology The word empyrean comes from the Greek word empyros ἐμπύριος w

• firmament

  Etymology Latin firmamentum from late Latin firmare to strengthen Proto Indo Europe

• welkin

  Etymology Middle English welken from Old English wolcen from Proto Germanic wulknō

• mark

  Etymology The name Mark is derived from the Proto Indo European root merk meaning

• felon

  Etymology The word felon originates from the Old French word felon which ultimately

• evangelist

  Etymology evangelist n ultimately from Greek εὐαγγέλιον euangelion mea

• adventure

  Etymology Late Middle English from Old French aventure from Latin adventūra literal

• contemplation

  Etymology From Middle English contemplacioun from Old French contemplacion from Latin