nadir

Meaning

Noun

1. 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.
2. The lowest point; time of greatest depression.
3. The axis of a projected conical shadow; the direction of the force of gravity at a location; down.
4. 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.

Synonyms

low-water mark

bottom

bottommost

climax

culmination

down

extreme

extremity

foot

🦶

height

lowest

low point

minimum

zenith

zero

base

lower-most point

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈneɪˌdɪə(ɹ)/

Etymology

From Medieval Latin nadir, from Arabic نَظِير السَّمْت (naẓīr as-samt), composed of نَظِير (naẓīr, “counterpart, corresponding to”) and السَّمْت (as-samt, “the zenith”).