English

Proper noun

Nemesis

1. (Greek mythology) The goddess of divine retribution.
2. (astronomy) Short for 128 Nemesis, a main belt asteroid.
3. (astronomy) A hypothetical star postulated to be orbiting the Sun to explain a perceived cycle of mass extinctions in the geological record.

Translations

English

Noun

nemesis ‎(plural nemeses)

1. (chiefly Canada, US) An archenemy
   • "Batman is in constant conflict with his nemesis, The Joker."
2. (chiefly non-North American usage) A person or character who specifically brings about the downfall of another person or character.
3. The principle of retributive justice.
4. (usually in the singular, formal) A punishment or defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided.
5. The polar opposite of a character.
6. A righteous infliction of retribution manifested by an appropriate agent.

Translations

Derived terms

• archnemesis
• chocolate nemesis
• nemetic

Related terms

• antagonist
• villain
• rival
• bane
• archenemy
• adversary

Anagrams

• Meissen
• misseen
• siemens

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈne.me.sis/, [ˈnɛ.mɛ.sɪs]

Noun

nemesis f ‎(genitive nemesis); third declension

1. nemesis

Inflection

Third declension, alternative accusative singular in -im, alternative ablative singular in -ī and accusative plural in -īs.

Descendants

• Italian: nemesi