nadir

Where does the word "nadir" come from? It comes from Arabic nazir, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (medieval).

Nadir’s story begins in Arabic: nazir meant “opposite point.” Meaning "opposite", the point opposite the zenith. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as nadir. Arabic 'nazir as-samt', opposite the zenith. It reached English by medieval as nadir. Settled as the English astronomical term. Today, nadir means the lowest point, or the point in the sky directly opposite the zenith.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval nazir "opposite point", meaning "opposite", the point opposite the zenith.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval nadir "the lowest point", Arabic 'nazir as-samt', opposite the zenith.
3. Stage 3 · English · medieval nadir "the lowest point", settled as the English astronomical term.