nadir

Plural: nadirs

Noun

• The lowest point; opposite of the zenith.
• an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything
• the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
• The point of the celestial sphere, directly opposite the zenith; inferior pole of the horizon; point of the celestial sphere directly under the place of observation.
• The lowest point; time of greatest depression.
• The axis of a projected conical shadow; the direction of the force of gravity at a location; down.
• An empty box added beneath a full one in a beehive to give the colony more room to expand or store honey.

Verb

• To extend (a beehive) by adding an empty box at the base.

Examples

• After playing a Q without a U, his score reached its nadir.
• The nadir of the sun is the axis of the shadow projected by the Earth.

Synonyms

low-water mark, antizenith, bathos, down, lowest ebb, slough of despond, trough

Antonyms

zenith, duplet, height, peak, super

Related Words

azimuth, zenith -, NADIRAL