zenithhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zenith_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezenith, n. & adj.
Revised 2018

zenithnoun & adjective

  1. noun
      1. 1.a.
        a1387–
        The point in the sky directly overhead; the highest point of the celestial sphere as viewed from any particular place; the upper pole of the horizon (opposed to nadir n.).
        Sometimes formerly used like a predicative adjective, as in quots. 1555, 1638; = in the zenith, ‘vertical’: cf. also quot. 1604.
        1. (a1387)
          Cinit [Latin cenit], þat is þe point þat is in þe welken euen aȝenst hem in þe oþer side of þe erþe.
          J. Trevisa, translation of R. Higden, Polychronicon (St. John's Cambridge MS.) (1869) vol. II. 177
          [Composed a1387]
        2. (a1398)
          It is iseyde þat a þing is in þe cenith of oure heed whanne he is aboue streiȝt ouer oure heed, for cenith is iclepid ‘a streiȝt sittynge ouerhede.’
          J. Trevisa, translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De Proprietatibus Rerum (British Library Add. MS. 27944) (1975) vol. I. viii. xxi. 499
          [Composed a1398]
        3. c1400 (1391)
          The centre þat standith a-Middes the narwest cercle is cleped the senyth..[which] is ymagened to ben the verrey point ouer the crowne of thyn heued, & also this senyth is the verrey pool of the orisonte in euery regioun.
          G. Chaucer, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §18. 10
          [Composed 1391]
        4. 1496
          Creatures more maddyr In erthe none wandreth atwene senit & naddyr.
          Epitaffe Iaspar Late Duke of Beddeforde (Pynson) sig. av
        5. c1550
          The point that is rycht abufe our hede is callit zenych..ande as oft as ve change fra place to place, as oft ve sal hef ane vthir zenycht.
          Complaynt of Scotland (1979) vi. 40
        6. 1555
          The sonne beinge there Zenith (that is the poynt of heauen directly ouer theyr heades) they felte greater heate..then when they were vnder the Equinoctiall line.
          R. Eden, Disc. Vyage rounde Worlde in translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde f. 218
        7. 1604
          When I passed, which was when the sun was there for Zenith, being entered into Aries.
          E. Grimeston, translation of J. de Acosta, Naturall & Morall Historie Indies ii. ix. 101
        8. 1638
          Shadowlesse, when Sol is Zenith.
          T. Herbert, Some Yeares Travels (revised edition) 6
        9. 1667
          From Morn To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve..; and with the setting Sun Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star.
          J. Milton, Paradise Lost i. 745
        10. 1733
          As an Object gradually ascends from the Horizon towards the Zenith.
          G. Berkeley, Theory of Vision §60. 50
        11. 1849
          There was not a speck of cloud from east to west, from zenith to horizon.
          H. W. Herbert, Frank Forester vol. I. 144
        12. 1860
          The stars..near the zenith shine with a steady light.
          J. Tyndall, Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 72
        13. 1885
          She saw a wondrous light In shifting colour to the zenith tower.
          R. Bridges, Eros & Psyche i. xxiv. 10
        14. 1926
          Stars..may be selected in such a way that some will be as far north of the zenith as others are south.
          H. N. Russell et al., Astronomy vol. I. iii. 80
        15. 1975
          Disadvantages are..an inaccessible sky area of about 5 degrees radius centred upon zenith, and a rotating field.
          B. V. Barlow, Astronomical Telescope ix. 175
        16. 2013
          The zenith during the early evening is ringed by familiar constellations.
          Times (Nexis) 2 December (Features section) 55
      2. 1.b.
        a1640–
        More loosely: the expanse of sky overhead; the upper region of the sky.
        Quot. 1599 shows the development of this sense from sense A.1a.
        1. [1599
          If we beleeue, that men do liue Vnder the Zenith of both frozen Poles.
          J. Davies, Nosce Teipsum 96]
        2. a1640
          Two, and twentye yeares of miserie..that longe time spent to vnder distant zeniths.
          P. Massinger, Beleeue as you List (1976) i. ii. 181
        3. 1791
          As Night's pale Queen..climbs the zenith.
          E. Darwin, Botanic Garden: Part I i. 118
        4. 1828
          Above, To the far stretching zenith.
          N. P. Willis in Ladies' Magazine January 45
        5. 1864
          Huge trees that branch'd And blossom'd in the zenith.
          Lord Tennyson, Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 32
        6. 1898
          Jack would..brandish the bat, And away the balls would go,..sometimes bang into the zenith.
          E. V. Lucas, Willow & Leather 106
        7. 1934
          Up in the zenith, so high that it dazzled one to look at them, a few vultures circled without the quiver of a wing.
          ‘G. Orwell’, Burmese Days i. 1
        8. 1951
          The zenith was filled with infinitesimal specks of light of every conceivable color.
          Thrilling Wonder Stories December 126/1
        9. 2013
          A single star floats within the marine blue zenith of the window.
          Toronto Star (Nexis) 20 December a3
      1. 2.a.
        c1400
        † The location of a celestial object or event expressed as the point of intersection of an azimuth circle with the horizon; = azimuth n. 2. Obsolete. rare.
        1. c1400 (1391)
          Thise Aȝimutz serue to knowe the costes of the firmanent & to othre conclusiouns, as for to knowe the cenyth of the sonne & of euery sterre.
          G. Chaucer, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §19. 11
          [Composed 1391]
        2. c1400 (1391)
          To knowe the senyth [Lat. signum] of the arysing of the sonne, this is to seyn, the partie of the Orisonte in which þat the sonne arisith.
          G. Chaucer, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §31. 40
          [Composed 1391]
      2. 2.b.
        1667
        † A course towards the zenith. Obsolete. rare.
        1. 1667
          Satan..Betwixt the Centaure and the Scorpion stearing His Zenith, while the Sun in Aries rose.
          J. Milton, Paradise Lost x. 329
      3. 2.c.
        1704–
        The highest or culminating point reached by a celestial object, esp. the sun or moon.
        1. 1704
          The conscious Moon, now in her Zenith.
          J. Swift, Full Account Battel between Books in Tale of Tub 271
        2. 1817
          What time the waning moon with cloud-veil'd face Her zenith reached, o'er the dark waving woods.
          J. F. Pennie, Royal Minstrel viii. 165
        3. 1976
          The sun was at its zenith.
          L. van der Post, Jung & Story of Our Time (1978) v. 149
        4. 2010
          After the sun's zenith, they [sc. the shadows] lengthened while the sky loosened its grip on the sun.
          D. Means in New Yorker 25 October 75/2
      1. 3.a.
        1610–
        figurative. The highest or best point (of something); the time or period at which something is at its best, most successful, most powerful, etc.; an acme, a climax. Cf. nadir n. 3a.
        1. 1610
          My rude Presume in daring from the remote Nadir of obscurity, to eleuate the flaggie Wing of so weake a Pineon towards the Zenith of Perfection.
          W. Folkingham, Feudigraphia Epistle Ded. sig. A2v
        2. a1616
          I finde my Zenith doth depend vpon A most auspitious starre, whose influence If now I court not,..my fortunes Will euer after droope.
          W. Shakespeare, Tempest (1623) i. ii. 182
        3. 1643
          The hand of God, whereby all Estates arise to their Zenith and verticall points.
          Sir T. Browne, Religio Medici (authorized edition) i. §17
        4. 1728
          In S. Augustine's Time, the Christian affairs seem to have been in their Zenith of Prosperity.
          J. Morgan, Complete History of Algiers vol. I. iv. 149
        5. 1790
          E'en in the zenith of republic pride, The virtuous Scipio found it no mean task, To subjugate Numantia's warlike son.
          M. O. Warren, Poems 140
        6. 1821
          I left the festival before It reach'd its zenith.
          Lord Byron, Marino Faliero (2nd issue) iv. i. 97
        7. 1837
          Bacon had reached the zenith of his fortunes.
          T. B. Macaulay, Lord Bacon in Essays (1851) vol. I. 377
        8. 1886
          Built..in the zenith of the pointed style, [Westminster Abbey] is one of the most exquisite examples of its class.
          F. Harrison, Choice of Books 251
        9. 1920
          He was well in his prime and almost in the zenith of his political power.
          J. K. Turner & J. L. Bridges, Hist. Edgecombe County iv. 125
        10. 1967
          A pop singer whose fame was currently at its dizzy histrionic zenith.
          M. Drabble, Jerusalem the Golden (1969) vii. 155
        11. 2005
          This movement hit its zenith with the March on Washington, led by Dr. King on August 28, 1963.
          Ebony November 110/1
      2. 3.b.
        1637–70
        † Medicine. Menstrual blood from a young woman or girl, spec. that of her first menstrual period. Obsolete.
        1. 1637
          The Zenith [Latin Zenith] (as they call it,) or the first menstruous blood of young Maides, being cast into the fire, as they report, is very offensive unto the Virgin from whom it flowed.
          translation of D. Sennert, Weapon-salves Maladie 12
        2. 1653
          So the zenith [Latin Zenith] of a young maiden cast into the fire, is said to stay the fire.
          F. Parkhurst, translation of A. Tentzel, Medicina Diastatica 21
        3. 1670
          ℞ Of Toads..well dryed in the Air... Zenith..of young Maydens, as much as can be got.
          translation of O. Croll, Bazilica Chymica 136
  2. adjective
    (attributive).
    1. 1828–
      That is, or represents, the highest or best point of something; most successful, powerful, significant, etc.; culminating; supreme. Cf. sense A.3.
      1. [1735
        Or like Apollo's zenith hour: Or like a full blown rose, her pow'r, Past bud and balmy honey dew Unfolds.
        Gentleman's Magazine November 673/1]
      2. 1828
        This is truly the zenith time with theatricals.
        World of Fashion April 78/2
      3. 1846
        The whole picture reminding one of fig-leaf days or Indian settlements, instead of the zenith days of Dutch civilization.
        J. Schnap & H. van Garretson, Old Times & New xi. 40
      4. 1859
        What zenith joy ever stood at gaze beyond its fleeting hour?
        W. G. Wills, Life's Foreshadowings vol. III. iii. 20
      5. 1875
        Scott's year of zenith happiness.
        W. Cory, Letters & Journals (1897) 405
      6. 1919
        This, be it noted, was advertising in its zenith power.
        Editor & Publisher 3 April 8/1
      7. 1989
        The Republicans did even better in 1928, the zenith year of prosperity and conservative satisfaction.
        M. P. Malone & R. W. Etulain, American West (1990) ii. 85
      8. 2012
        This zenith moment of the civil rights movement.
        P. Harvey, Moses, Jesus, & Trickster in Evangelical South iii. 151

zenith, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.

zenith, n. & adj. was last modified in June 2025.