nadir

Meanings

Noun

• 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.

Origin

• From Medieval Latin nadir, from Arabic نَظِير السَّمْت, composed of نَظِير and سمت.