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 Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:40 am
nadir • NAY-deer • noun
1 : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer
*2 : the lowest point
Example Sentence:
Ironically, the high point of the novel occurs when the protagonist reaches her nadir, for only then does she arouse our empathy and emotional involvement.
Did you know?
"Nadir" is part of the galaxy of scientific words that have come to us from Arabic, a language that has made important contributions in the vocabulary of mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and chemistry. "Nadir" derives from an Arabic word meaning "opposite" -- the opposite, that is, of the "zenith," which names the highest point of the celestial sphere, the one vertically above the observer. (The word "zenith" itself is a modification of another Arabic word that means "the way over one's head.") The English poet John Donne is first on record as having used "nadir" in the figurative sense of "lowest point" in a sermon he wrote in 1627.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:16 am
it was Ramadan, time for almsgiving.
a local mosque asked the FBI to tell them which charities they were not supposed to donate to, since they knew there was a list of prohibited charities and did not want to get in trouble.
the FBI refused to tell them, saying it was confidential information.
so the people gave to a cou[le large international arab charities based in Europe, which did education and relief work around the world.
turns out they were on the secret prohibited list, so the leaders were arrested and jailed.
because anything Arab must be evil, don't you know.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:29 am
Well, that's one way to make it look as if all the money we've spent on "homeland security" is making any difference at all.
Half of my family is pretty evil. wink Maybe it's okay since they're Christians. rolleyes
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:46 am
this is completely irrelevant, but the most scrumptious dessert i ever had was a roll of phyllo dough with almonds and honey...and poppy seed?...
created by a popular trio of singers, Christians, Syrian sisters, who claimed their branch of Antiochene faith was older even than the Coptics.
they were from Middlesex, PA. (near Sharon)
whatever, they were talented, and their food was to die for.
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