Nemesis
/ˈnɛm.ə.sɪs/noun
A long-delayed and often inescapable agent of defeat or punishment, or the punishment itself.
Did you know?In Greek religion, Nemesis was a goddess of righteous retribution and the balancing of excess, which is why the word still carries the feeling of inevitable cosmic payback.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nem-
“to distribute, allot”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Νέμεσις (Némesis)
“distribution; righteous indignation; the goddess who dispenses due punishment”
Latin
Latin
nemesis
“borrowed from Greek, used for retributive justice or a source of downfall”
Late Middle English
English
nemesis
“a formidable or justly punishing opponent”
Modern English
English
nemesis
“an arch-enemy or agent of inevitable ruin”