Nadir definition
An example of nadir is the Great Depression.
The nadir of the sun is the axis of the shadow projected by the Earth.
The nadir of their fortunes.
Other Word Forms
Noun
Origin of nadir
- Middle English from Medieval Latin from Arabic naẓīr (as-samt) opposite (the zenith) from naẓara to see, watch nṯr in Semitic roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- Unknown. It has been suggested that it is from Arabic نَزِير (nazÄ«r, “rare, trivial"), but if it is Arabic, perhaps more likely would be نَذِير (naḍīr, “auspicious, boding well (?)") Represents the word 'rare' in hebrew
From Wiktionary
- From Medieval Latin nadir, from Arabic نَظِيرُ السَّمْت (naẓīru as-samt), composed of السَمْتُ (as-samt, “the zenith") and نَظِير (naẓīr, “counterpart, corresponding to").
From Wiktionary