nemesis

Where does the word "nemesis" come from? It comes from Greek Nemesis, and was adopted directly into English (1570s).

Nemesis’s story begins in Greek: Nemesis meant “the goddess of divine retribution.” The goddess of retribution against those who succumb to excessive pride. It reached English by 1570s as nemesis. Broadened from the goddess herself to any long-standing rival or downfall. Today, nemesis means a long-standing rival, or an inescapable agent of someone's downfall.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient Nemesis "the goddess of divine retribution", the goddess of retribution against those who succumb to excessive pride.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1570s nemesis "a long-standing rival, or the cause of one's downfall", broadened from the goddess herself to any long-standing rival or downfall.