ZENITH Definition & Meaning

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zenith

[zee-nith, zen-ith]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer.
Antonyms:
a highest point or state; culmination.
Synonyms: ,
Antonyms:

zenith

/ ˈziːnɪθ, ˈzɛnɪθ /

noun

astronomy the point on the celestial sphere vertically above an observer
the highest point; peak; acme
the zenith of someone's achievements

zenith

The point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer (90 degrees above the celestial horizon).
Compare nadir

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

ˈ��Ծ��ٳ󲹱� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of zenith¹

1350–1400; Middle English cenith < Medieval Latin < Old Spanish zenit, scribal error for zemt < Arabic samt road, incorrectly read as senit by medieval scribes (compare Arabic samt ar-�� road above (over) one's head, the opposite of nadir )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of zenith¹

C17: from French cenith, from Medieval Latin, from Old Spanish zenit, based on Arabic samt, as in samt ar�� path over one's head, from samt way, path + al the + �� head

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

At their commercial zenith, they went on hiatus.

From

The zenith of that new-found vulnerability came at arguably the pinnacle of her career.

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I think we reached our zenith in Season 4.

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The zenith, he says, is adolescence, when emotional reactions are further heightened by hormones and changes to the internal body clock which impact sleeping patterns.

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Funny foodstuffs had seemed to reach their zenith as recently as Friday, when the King had a blow on a carrot whistle.

From

Zenist zenithal

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