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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Nadir of the sun

Nadir \Na"dir\ (n[=a]"d[~e]r), n. [F., Sp., & It. nadir; all fr. Ar. naz[=i]ru's samt nadir, prop., the point opposite the zenith (as samt), in which naz[=i]r means alike, corresponding to. Cf. Azimuth, Zenith.]

  1. 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.

  2. The lowest point; the time of greatest depression.

    The seventh century is the nadir of the human mind in Europe.
    --Hallam.

    Nadir of the sun (Astron.), the axis of the conical shadow projected by the earth.
    --Crabb.