Nn: Nadir

n. 1. Astronomy A point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer, diametrically opposite the zenith. 2. The lowest point: the nadir of their fortunes. [Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Arabic nar (as-samt), opposite (the zenith), from naara, to see, watch; see nr in Semitic roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

In the most illustrious lives as in the most obscure, in animals as in secretary-generals, there is a zenith and there is a nadir, a period when the fur is magnificent, the fortune dazzling.

Bureaucracy by de Balzac, Honore 

Nn: Neophyte

n.

1. A recent convert to a belief; a proselyte.

2. A beginner or novice: a neophyte at politics.

3.

a. Roman Catholic Church A newly ordained priest.

b. A novice of a religious order or congregation.

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[Middle English, from Late Latin neophytus, from Greek neophutos : neo-, neo- + -phutos, planted (from phuein, to bring forth; see bheu- in Indo-European roots).]

Thesauraus

	1.	neophyte - any new participant in some activity fledgeling, fledgling, newbie, newcomer, freshman, entrant, starter beginner, initiate, tiro, tyro, novice - someone new to a field or activity enlistee, recruit - any new member or supporter (as in the armed forces)
	2.	neophyte - a new convert being taught the principles of Christianity by a catechist catechumen educatee, pupil, student - a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

A neophyte might have fancied that the ripples passing over it were dreadfully like faint changes of expression on a sightless face; but Gaffer was no neophyte and had no fancies.Our Mutual Friend by Dickens, Charles