VOCABULARY WORD OF THE DAY:

Nadir

The nadir (UK: /ˈnædɪər/), (US: /ˈneɪdɪər/) (from Arabic: نظير‎‎ / ALA-LC: naẓīr, meaning “counterpart”) is the direction pointing directly below a particular location; that is, it is one of two vertical directions at a specified location, orthogonal to a horizontal flat surface there. Since the concept of being below is itself somewhat vague, scientists define the nadir in more rigorous terms. Specifically, in astronomy, geophysics and related sciences (e.g., meteorology), the nadir at a given point is the local vertical direction pointing in the direction of the force of gravity at that location. The direction opposite of the nadir is the zenith.

Nadir also refers to the downward-facing viewing geometry of an orbiting satellite,[1] such as is employed during remote sensing of the atmosphere, as well as when an astronaut faces the Earth while performing a spacewalk.

The word is also used figuratively to mean the lowest point of a person’s spirits,[2] or the quality of an activity or profession.[3]