Sphere \Sphere\, n. [OE. spere, OF. espere, F. sph[`e]re, L.
sphaera,. Gr. ??? 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.
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2. Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial
one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth.
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Of celestial bodies, first the sun,
A mighty sphere, he framed. --Milton.
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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.
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4. (Logic) The extension of a general conception, or the
totality of the individuals or species to which it may be
applied.
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5. Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence;
compass; province; employment; place of existence.
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To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen
to move in 't. --Shak.
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Taking her out of the ordinary relations with
humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself.
--Hawthorne.
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Each in his hidden sphere of joy or woe
Our hermit spirits dwell. --Keble.
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6. Rank; order of society; social positions.
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7. An orbit, as of a star; a socket. [R.] --Shak.
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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.
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Syn: Globe; orb; circle. See Globe.
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Armillary \Ar"mil*la*ry\, a. [LL. armillarius, fr. L. armilla
arm ring, bracelet, fr. armus arm: cf. F. armillaire. See
Arm, n.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, a bracelet or ring; consisting
of rings or circles.
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Armillary sphere, an ancient astronomical machine composed
of an assemblage of rings, all circles of the same sphere,
designed to represent the positions of the important
circles of the celestial sphere. --Nichol.
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