Nadir vs. Zenith: What's the Difference?
Nadir and Zenith Definitions
Nadir
(Astronomy) A point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer, diametrically opposite the zenith.
Zenith
The point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer.
Nadir
The lowest point
The nadir of their fortunes.
Zenith
The upper region of the sky.
Nadir
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.
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Zenith
The highest point above the observer's horizon attained by a celestial body.
Nadir
(figuratively) The lowest point; time of greatest depression.
Zenith
The point of culmination; the peak
The zenith of her career.
Nadir
(astronomy) The axis of a projected conical shadow; the direction of the force of gravity at a location; down.
The nadir of the sun is the axis of the shadow projected by the Earth.
Zenith
(astronomy) The point in the sky vertically above a given position or observer; the point in the celestial sphere opposite the nadir.
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Nadir
An empty box added beneath a full one in a beehive to give the colony more room to expand or store honey.
Zenith
(astronomy) The highest point in the sky reached by a celestial body.
Nadir
To extend (a beehive) by adding an empty box at the base.
Zenith
(by extension) Highest point or state; peak.
Winning the continental championship was the zenith of my career.
Nadir
That point of the heavens, or lower hemisphere, directly opposite the zenith; the inferior pole of the horizon; the point of the celestial sphere directly under the place where we stand.
Zenith
That point in the visible celestial hemisphere which is vertical to the spectator; the point of the heavens directly overhead; - opposed to nadir.
From mornTo noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,A summer's day; and with the setting sunDropped from the zenith, like a falling star.
Nadir
The lowest point; the time of greatest depression.
The seventh century is the nadir of the human mind in Europe.
Zenith
Hence, figuratively, the point of culmination; the greatest height; the height of success or prosperity.
I find my zenith doth depend uponA most auspicious star.
This dead of midnight is the noon of thought,And wisdom mounts her zenith with the stars.
It was during those civil troubles . . . this aspiring family reached the zenith.
Nadir
An extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything
Zenith
The point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
Nadir
The point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
