September 3, 2014 "zenithal"

Reading the Merriam Webster Dictionary Backwards

September 3, 2014 Wednesday

blog address: Readingthedictionarybackwards.blogspot.com

email: ishmaelish36@blogspot.com

You can find my other blog of pediatric anecdotes, poetry, artwork and literature at ishmaelish36.blogspot.com

"Z's"

zig: the line opposite the zag

       both a noun and a verb

zenithal (adj) from zenith [zen' i thal] (short e sound)

     the highest point reached by a heavenly body

     I like the sound of this adjective, as opposed to the noun.  I can't remember ever using this word in a conversation but it is tempting…to talk of one's zenithal intellectual or athletic period?   Does anyone have any memories of using this word?   

     similar words: 

          summit

          peak (vs nadir)  (definition of zenith: the point of a celestial body directly opposite the nadir)

          to wax and wane (the 'waxing' moon is a moon that is enlarging, i.e. 1/4 moon to a 1/2 moon to  

               full moon;

               i.e. waxing a candle…repeatedly dipping it in wax as it slowly enlarges
          apogee