Sphēre1, n.
n. [Fr. sphère, Pr. espera, Sp. & Pg. esfera, It. sfera, Lat. sphera, Gr. σφαῖρα, Ger. sphäre.]
Sense 1. (Geom.) A body contained under a single surface, which, in every part, is equally distant from a point within, called its center.
Sense 2. Hence, any orb or star.
First the sun, a mighty sphere, he framed. Milton.
Sense 3. (Astron.) (a.) The apparent surface of the heavens, which seems to the eye spherical and every where 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, &c., 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.
- (Logic.) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
- Circuit of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment.
- Rank; order of society; as, persons moving in a higher sphere claim more deference.
- An orbit; a socket. [Rare.]
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres. Shak. Armillary sphere. See ARMILLARY. — Doctrine of the sphere, the application 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, distances and bearings, of places on the earth, and the right ascension and declination, altitude and azimuth, rising and setting, &c., of the heavenly bodies; spherical geometry. — Music of the spheres, the music supposed by the Pythagoreans to result from the motions of the spheres, in the ancient astronomy. — Oblique sphere. See OBLIQUE. — Parallel sphere. See PARALLEL. — Right sphere. See RIGHT. Syn. — Globe; orb; circle. See GLOBE.