n.
Pronunciation: ' z ē -n ə th, Canad also & Brit usu ' ze-n ə th, -nith
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English cenyth, senyth, from Middle French cenit, from Medieval Latin, from Old Spanish zenit, modification of Arabic samt ( al-ra's ) way (over one's head)
Date: 14th century
1 : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the nadir and vertically above the observer ― see AZIMUTH illustration
2 : the highest point reached in the heavens by a celestial body
3 : culminating point : ACME <at the zenith of his powers ― John Buchan>