Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sphere
Sphere
,Noun.
[OE.
spere
, OF. espere
, F. sphère
, L. sphaera
,. Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] a sphere, a ball.] 1.
(Geom.)
A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
2.
Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth.
Of celestial bodies, first the sun,
A mighty
A mighty
sphere
, he framed. Milton.
3.
(Astron.)
(a)
The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it.
(b)
In ancient astronomy, one of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which the stars, sun, planets, and moon were supposed to be set, and by which they were carried, in such a manner as to produce their apparent motions.
4.
(Logic)
The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
5.
Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence.
To be called into a huge
sphere
, and not to be seen to move in ’t. Shakespeare
Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a
sphere
by herself. Hawthorne.
Each in his hidden
Our hermit spirits dwell.
sphere
of joy or woeOur hermit spirits dwell.
Keble.
6.
Rank; order of society; social positions.
7.
An orbit, as of a star; a socket.
[R.]
Shak.
Armillary sphere
, Crystalline sphere
, Oblique sphere
See under
– Armillary
, Crystalline
,. Doctrine of the sphere
, applications of the principles of spherical trigonometry to the properties and relations of the circles of the sphere, and the problems connected with them, in astronomy and geography, as to the latitudes and longitudes, distance and bearing, of places on the earth, and the right ascension and declination, altitude and azimuth, rising and setting, etc., of the heavenly bodies; spherical geometry.
– Music of the spheres
. See under
Music
.
Syn. – Globe; orb; circle. See
Globe
. Sphere
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Sphered
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sphering
.] 1.
To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere.
The glorious planet Sol
In noble eminence enthroned and
Amidst the other.
In noble eminence enthroned and
sphered
Amidst the other.
Shakespeare
2.
To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect.
Tennyson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sphere
SPHERE
,Noun.
1.
In geometry, a solid body contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point called its center. The earth is not an exact sphere. The sun appears to be a sphere.2.
An orb or globe of the mundane system. First the sun, a mighty sphere, he fram'd. Then mortal ears had heard the music of the spheres.3.
An orbicular body, or a circular figure representing the earth or apparent heavens.4.
Circuit of motion; revolution; orbit; as the diurnal sphere.5.
The concave or vast orbicular expanse in which the heavenly orbs appear.6.
Circuit of action, knowledge or influence; compass; province; employment. Every man has his particular sphere of action, in which it should be his ambition to excel. Events of this kind have repeatedly fallen within the sphere of my knowledge. This man treats of matters not within his sphere.7.
Rank; order of society. Persons moving in a higher sphere claim more deference.