a solid geometric figure generated by the revolution of a semicircle about its diameter; a round body whose surface is at all points equidistant from the center. Equation: x2 + y2 + z2 = r2.
the surface of such a figure; a spherical surface.
any rounded body approximately of this form; a globular mass, shell, etc.
any of the transparent, concentric, spherical shells, or layers, in which, according to ancient belief, the planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies were set.
the place or environment within which a person or thing exists; a field of activity or operation: to be out of one's professional sphere.
a particular social world, stratum of society, or walk of life: His social sphere is small.
a field of something specified: a sphere of knowledge.
verb (used with object),sphered,spher·ing.
to enclose in or as if in a sphere.
to form into a sphere.
to place among the heavenly spheres.
Origin of sphere
1250–1300; < Late Latinsphēra,Latinsphaera globe < Greeksphaîra ball; replacing Middle Englishspere < Old Frenchspere < Late Latinspēra, variant of sphēra
Related formssphere·less, adjectivesphere·like, adjectivesub·sphere, nounun·spher·ing, adjective
a combining form of sphere (planisphere); having a special use in the names of the layers of gases and the like surrounding the earth and other celestial bodies (ionosphere).
a three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from a given point, the centre
the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: (x–a)² + (y–b)² + (z–c)² = r ², where r is the radius and (a, b, c) are the coordinates of the centre; surface area: 4π r ²; volume: 4π r ³/3
any object having approximately this shape; globe
the night sky considered as a vaulted roof; firmament
any heavenly object such as a planet, natural satellite, or star
(in the Ptolemaic or Copernican systems of astronomy) one of a series of revolving hollow globes, arranged concentrically, on whose transparent surfaces the sun (or in the Copernican system the earth), the moon, the planets, and fixed stars were thought to be set, revolving around the earth (or in the Copernican system the sun)
particular field of activity; environmentthat's out of my sphere
a social class or stratum of society
verb(tr)mainlypoetic
to surround or encircle
to place aloft or in the heavens
Word Origin for sphere
C14: from Late Latin sphēra, from Latin sphaera globe, from Greek sphaira
1530s, restored spelling of Middle English spere (c.1300) "space, conceived as a hollow globe about the world," from Old French espere (13c.), from Latin sphaera "globe, ball, celestial sphere," from Greek sphaira "globe, ball," of unknown origin.
Sense of "ball, body of globular form" is from late 14c. Medieval astronomical meaning "one of the 8 (later 10) concentric, transparent, hollow globes believed to revolve around the earth and carry the heavenly bodies" is from late 14c.; the supposed harmonious sound they made rubbing against one another was the music of the spheres (late 14c.). Meaning "range of something" is first recorded c.1600 (e.g. sphere of influence, 1885, originally in reference to Anglo-German colonial rivalry in Africa). A spherical number (1640s) is one whose powers always terminate in the same digit as the number itself (5,6, and 10 are the only ones).
