zenithnoun & adjective
Meaning & use
- noun
- 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.
- (a1387)
Cinit [Latin cenit], þat is þe point þat is in þe welken euen aȝenst hem in þe oþer side of þe erþe.
, translation of R. Higden, Polychronicon (St. John's Cambridge MS.) (1869) vol. II. 177[Composed a1387] - (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.’
, translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De Proprietatibus Rerum (British Library Add. MS. 27944) (1975) vol. I. viii. xxi. 499[Composed a1398] - 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.
, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §18. 10[Composed 1391] - 1496
Creatures more maddyr In erthe none wandreth atwene senit & naddyr.
Epitaffe Iaspar Late Duke of Beddeforde (Pynson) sig. av - 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 - 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.
, Disc. Vyage rounde Worlde in translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde f. 218 - 1604
When I passed, which was when the sun was there for Zenith, being entered into Aries.
, translation of J. de Acosta, Naturall & Morall Historie Indies ii. ix. 101 - 1638
Shadowlesse, when Sol is Zenith.
, Some Yeares Travels (revised edition) 6 - 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.
, Paradise Lost i. 745 - 1733
As an Object gradually ascends from the Horizon towards the Zenith.
, Theory of Vision §60. 50 - 1849
There was not a speck of cloud from east to west, from zenith to horizon.
, Frank Forester vol. I. 144 - 1860
The stars..near the zenith shine with a steady light.
, Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 72 - 1885
She saw a wondrous light In shifting colour to the zenith tower.
, Eros & Psyche i. xxiv. 10 - 1926
Stars..may be selected in such a way that some will be as far north of the zenith as others are south.
et al., Astronomy vol. I. iii. 80 - 1975
Disadvantages are..an inaccessible sky area of about 5 degrees radius centred upon zenith, and a rotating field.
, Astronomical Telescope ix. 175 - 2013
The zenith during the early evening is ringed by familiar constellations.
Times (Nexis) 2 December (Features section) 55
- 1.b.a1640–More loosely: the expanse of sky overhead; the upper region of the sky.
- [1599
If we beleeue, that men do liue Vnder the Zenith of both frozen Poles.
, Nosce Teipsum 96] - a1640
Two, and twentye yeares of miserie..that longe time spent to vnder distant zeniths.
, Beleeue as you List (1976) i. ii. 181 - 1791
As Night's pale Queen..climbs the zenith.
, Botanic Garden: Part I i. 118 - 1828
Above, To the far stretching zenith.
in Ladies' Magazine January 45 - 1864
Huge trees that branch'd And blossom'd in the zenith.
, Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 32 - 1898
Jack would..brandish the bat, And away the balls would go,..sometimes bang into the zenith.
, Willow & Leather 106 - 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.
, Burmese Days i. 1 - 1951
The zenith was filled with infinitesimal specks of light of every conceivable color.
Thrilling Wonder Stories December 126/1 - 2013
A single star floats within the marine blue zenith of the window.
Toronto Star (Nexis) 20 December a3
- 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.
- 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.
, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §19. 11[Composed 1391] - 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.
, Treatise on Astrolabe (Cambridge MS. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §31. 40[Composed 1391]
- 2.b.1667† A course towards the zenith. Obsolete. rare.
- 1667
Satan..Betwixt the Centaure and the Scorpion stearing His Zenith, while the Sun in Aries rose.
, Paradise Lost x. 329
- 2.c.1704–The highest or culminating point reached by a celestial object, esp. the sun or moon.
- 1704
The conscious Moon, now in her Zenith.
, Full Account Battel between Books in Tale of Tub 271 - 1817
What time the waning moon with cloud-veil'd face Her zenith reached, o'er the dark waving woods.
, Royal Minstrel viii. 165 - 1976
The sun was at its zenith.
, Jung & Story of Our Time (1978) v. 149 - 2010
After the sun's zenith, they [sc. the shadows] lengthened while the sky loosened its grip on the sun.
in New Yorker 25 October 75/2
- 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.
- 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.
, Feudigraphia Epistle Ded. sig. A2v - 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.
, Tempest (1623) i. ii. 182 - 1643
The hand of God, whereby all Estates arise to their Zenith and verticall points.
, Religio Medici (authorized edition) i. §17 - 1728
In S. Augustine's Time, the Christian affairs seem to have been in their Zenith of Prosperity.
, Complete History of Algiers vol. I. iv. 149 - 1790
E'en in the zenith of republic pride, The virtuous Scipio found it no mean task, To subjugate Numantia's warlike son.
, Poems 140 - 1821
I left the festival before It reach'd its zenith.
, Marino Faliero (2nd issue) iv. i. 97 - 1837
Bacon had reached the zenith of his fortunes.
, Lord Bacon in Essays (1851) vol. I. 377 - 1886
Built..in the zenith of the pointed style, [Westminster Abbey] is one of the most exquisite examples of its class.
, Choice of Books 251 - 1920
He was well in his prime and almost in the zenith of his political power.
& , Hist. Edgecombe County iv. 125 - 1967
A pop singer whose fame was currently at its dizzy histrionic zenith.
, Jerusalem the Golden (1969) vii. 155 - 2005
This movement hit its zenith with the March on Washington, led by Dr. King on August 28, 1963.
Ebony November 110/1
- 3.b.1637–70† Medicine. Menstrual blood from a young woman or girl, spec. that of her first menstrual period. Obsolete.
- 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 - 1653
So the zenith [Latin Zenith] of a young maiden cast into the fire, is said to stay the fire.
, translation of A. Tentzel, Medicina Diastatica 21 - 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
- adjective(attributive).
- 1828–That is, or represents, the highest or best point of something; most successful, powerful, significant, etc.; culminating; supreme. Cf. sense A.3.
- [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] - 1828
This is truly the zenith time with theatricals.
World of Fashion April 78/2 - 1846
The whole picture reminding one of fig-leaf days or Indian settlements, instead of the zenith days of Dutch civilization.
& , Old Times & New xi. 40 - 1859
What zenith joy ever stood at gaze beyond its fleeting hour?
, Life's Foreshadowings vol. III. iii. 20 - 1875
Scott's year of zenith happiness.
, Letters & Journals (1897) 405 - 1919
This, be it noted, was advertising in its zenith power.
Editor & Publisher 3 April 8/1 - 1989
The Republicans did even better in 1928, the zenith year of prosperity and conservative satisfaction.
& , American West (1990) ii. 85 - 2012
This zenith moment of the civil rights movement.
, Moses, Jesus, & Trickster in Evangelical South iii. 151