Definition of "nadir" in English

noun

1. 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.

2. (figuratively) The lowest point; time of greatest depression.

   • Near-synonym: dead

3. (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.

4. (beekeeping, archaic) An empty box added beneath a full one in a beehive to give the colony more room to expand or store honey.

verb

1. (transitive, beekeeping) To extend (a beehive) by adding an empty box at the base.