|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
zenith
zenith The point on the celestial sphere directly above an observer. A line to the zenith is at right angles to the plane of the horizon. The zenith is in the opposite direction from the nadir. Strictly speaking, this definition refers only to the astronomical zenith; two other, slightly different forms of zenith may also be defined. The geocentric zenith is the direction indicated by a line from the centre of the Earth through the observer. The geodetic zenith is at right angles to the geoid at the observer's location. All three forms of zenith differ slightly because of the non-spherical shape of the Earth. If used without qualification, ‘zenith’ means the astronomical zenith.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"zenith." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "zenith." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-zenith.html "zenith." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-zenith.html |
|
zenith
zenith in astronomy, the point in the sky directly overhead; more precisely, it is the point at which the celestial sphere is intersected by an upward extension of a plumb line from the observer's location. Its position in the sky thus depends on the direction of the earth's gravitational field at the observer's location. The zenith is a reference point in the altazimuth coordinate system ; its altitude above the celestial horizon is 90°. The angular distance from the zenith to a celestial body is called the zenith distance. The nadir, directly opposite the zenith, has a zenith distance of 180°; the celestial horizon has a zenith distance of 90°. |
|
|
Cite this article
"zenith." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "zenith." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-zenith.html "zenith." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-zenith.html |
|
zenith
ze·nith / ˈzēni[unvoicedth]/ • n. [in sing.] the highest point reached by a celestial or other object: the missile reached its zenith and fell. ∎ the point in the sky or celestial sphere directly above an observer.The opposite of nadir. ∎ the time at which something is most powerful or successful: under Justinian, the Byzantine Empire reached its zenith of influence. DERIVATIVES: ze·nith·al / -nə[unvoicedth]əl/ adj. |
|
|
Cite this article
"zenith." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "zenith." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-zenith.html "zenith." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-zenith.html |
|
Zenith
Zenith ♀ From the vocabulary word referring to the highest point in the heavens, directly above the observer, and figuratively also to the greatest development of perfection. The word came into English in the Middle Ages, via French and Spanish, from Arabic samt ‘way, path’ (taken from the phrase samt ar-rās ‘overhead path’). This has sometimes been used as a first name by parents who wish their daughter to ‘reach the heights’.
|
|
|
Cite this article
PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Zenith." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Zenith." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Zenith.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Zenith." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Zenith.html |
|
zenith
zenith the highest point reached by a celestial or other object; the point in the sky or celestial sphere directly above an observer; in figurative usage, the time at which something is most powerful or successful. Recorded from late Middle English, the word comes via Old French from medieval Latin cenit, based on Arabic samt (ar-ra's) ‘path (over the head)’.
|
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "zenith." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "zenith." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-zenith.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "zenith." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-zenith.html |
|
zenith
zenith point of the sky directly overhead, †point of the horizon at which a heavenly body rises XIV; highest point or state XVII. ME. cenyth, senith, cinit — OF. cenit (mod. zénith) or medL. cenit, obscurely — Arab. samt in samt ar-ra's ‘path over the head’ (samt way, al the, AL-2, ra's head).
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "zenith." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "zenith." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-zenith.html T. F. HOAD. "zenith." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-zenith.html |
|
zenith
zenith, in nautical astronomy the point in the heavens immediately above an observer on the surface of the earth. A line through the centre of the earth and the observer on its surface points directly to the observer's zenith. See celestial navigation.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"zenith." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "zenith." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-zenith.html "zenith." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-zenith.html |
|
zenith
zenith In astronomy, point on the celestial sphere that is directly overhead. The zenith distance of a heavenly body is the angle it makes with the zenith. It is diametrically opposite the nadir.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"zenith." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "zenith." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-zenith.html "zenith." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-zenith.html |
|
zenith
zenith
•myth, outwith, pith, smith
•twentieth • seventieth • eightieth
•fiftieth • sixtieth • ninetieth
•fortieth • thirtieth • Edith • Judith
•Meredith • Griffith • Hesketh
•tallith • Delyth • Lilith • megalith
•monolith • blacksmith • Nasmyth
•tinsmith • Ladysmith • locksmith
•songsmith • goldsmith • gunsmith
•coppersmith • silversmith
•wordsmith
•Kenneth, zenith
•Gwyneth • Lapith • Hollerith
•Asquith • Sopwith
|
|
|
Cite this article
"zenith." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "zenith." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-zenith.html "zenith." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-zenith.html |
|
ZENITH
ZENITH (ˈzɛnɪɵ) Nuclear engineering zero-energy nitrogen-heated thermal reactor
|
|
|
Cite this article
FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "ZENITH." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "ZENITH." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O25-ZENITH.html FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "ZENITH." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O25-ZENITH.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
