orb

[ awrb ]

noun

1. a sphere or globe:

   a Christmas tree hung with brightly colored orbs.

2. the eyeball or eye:

   He looks with blind orbs on an indifferent world.

3. any of the heavenly bodies, as the sun or moon:

   He lay on the grass, warmed by that orb of day, the sun.

4. a globe bearing a cross; the mound or emblem of sovereignty, especially as part of the regalia of England.
5. Astrology. the number of degrees from exactness within which an aspect operates.
6. a circle or something circular.
7. Astronomy. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
8. the earth.

verb (used with object)

1. to form into a circle or sphere.
2. Archaic. to encircle; enclose.

verb (used without object)

1. to move in an orbit.
2. to form into an orb or globe; round out.

orb

/ ɔːb /

noun

1. (in royal regalia) an ornamental sphere surmounted by a cross, representing the power of a sovereign
2. a sphere; globe
3. poetic.
   another word for eye 1
4. obsolete.
   1. a celestial body, esp the earth or sun
   2. the orbit of a celestial body
5. an archaic word for circle

verb

1. to make or become circular or spherical
2. tr an archaic word for encircle

Other Words From

• orbless adjective
• orblike adjective
• un·orbed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orb¹

First recorded in 1520–30, orb is from the Latin word orbis circle, disk, orb

Word History and Origins

Origin of orb¹

C16: from Latin orbis circle, disc

Example Sentences

There is something to the challenge posed by that dimpled orb that creates great distraction.

From The Daily Beast

Unbeknownst to him, the orb contains an Infinity Stone, which holds within it the power to destroy entire planets.

From The Daily Beast

Guardians centers on Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), an intergalactic smuggler who swipes an orb.

From The Daily Beast

One day, he stumbles across a mysterious orb whose very existence threatens the future of the universe.

From The Daily Beast

Quite frankly, the custom made Sealegs craft knocks the spots off the orb he got given by the Pope the other day.

From The Daily Beast

The morning crawled past, the sun mounted until I could see the golden orb near zenith.

From Project Gutenberg

The moon rose majestically above the distant trees; her full, round, and yellow orb cast a mellow light upon our group.

From Project Gutenberg

The orb of the sun, already near the horizon, seemed enormous and of purple hue.

From Project Gutenberg

They prayed devoutly before sunrise; but until the orb had risen they never spoke of worldly matters.

From Project Gutenberg

Such is the complete revolution of our planet round the orb of day.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sphere