Etymology

nadir

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Today it means: 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. Full definition →

Medieval Latin nadir ← Arabic نَظِير السَّمْت
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nadir · noun, verb1

  1. Arabic · derived fromنَظِير السَّمْت
  2. Medieval Latin · borrowed fromnadir
  3. English todaynadir

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

Nadir · proper noun2

  1. Arabic · derived fromنَزِير“rare, trivial”
  2. English todayNadir

Unknown. It has been suggested that it is from Arabic نَزِير (nazīr, “rare, trivial”), but if it is Arabic, perhaps more likely would be نَذِير (naḏīr, “auspicious, boding well (?)”). Represents the word 'rare' in Hebrew.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.