1570s, Nemesis, "Greek goddess of vengeance, personification of divine wrath," from Greek nemesis "just indignation, righteous anger," literally "distribution" (of what is due), related to nemein "distribute, allot, apportion one's due," from PIE root *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot, to take" (cognates: Old English, Gothic niman "to take," German nehmen; see nimble). With a lower-case -n-, in the sense of "retributive justice," attested from 1590s. General sense of "anything by which it seems one must be defeated" is 20c.
例文
1. He believes AIDS is our collective nemesis .
彼はエイズは私たち全員に対する罰だと思っている。
2.To follow the proposed course of action is to invite nemesis .
他の人が提案した行動手順に従って行動することは、自分探しの報いである。
3.Uncritical trust is my nemesis .
盲目的にすべてを信じることは私自身を害する
4.Inward suffering is the worst of Nemesis .
心の痛みは最高の罰である。
5.Yet the imminent crisis in its balance of payments may be the President 's nemesis .