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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Music \Mu"sic\, n. [F. musique, fr. L. musica, Gr. ? (sc. ?),
any art over which the Muses presided, especially music,
lyric poetry set and sung to music, fr. ? belonging to Muses
or fine arts, fr. ? Muse.]
1. The science and the art of tones, or musical sounds, i.
e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of uniform
and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various
degrees of tension; the science of harmonical tones which
treats of the principles of harmony, or the properties,
dependences, and relations of tones to each other; the art
of combining tones in a manner to please the ear.
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Note: Not all sounds are tones. Sounds may be unmusical and
yet please the ear. Music deals with tones, and with no
other sounds. See Tone.
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2.
(a) Melody; a rhythmical and otherwise agreeable
succession of tones.
(b) Harmony; an accordant combination of simultaneous
tones.
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3. The written and printed notation of a musical composition;
the score.
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4. Love of music; capacity of enjoying music.
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The man that hath no music in himself
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. --Shak.
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5. (Zool.) A more or less musical sound made by many of the
lower animals. See Stridulation.
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Magic music, a game in which a person is guided in finding
a hidden article, or in doing a specific art required, by
music which is made more loud or rapid as he approaches
success, and slower as he recedes. --Tennyson.
Music box. See Musical box, under Musical.
Music hall, a place for public musical entertainments.
Music loft, a gallery for musicians, as in a dancing room
or a church.
Music of the spheres, the harmony supposed to be produced
by the accordant movement of the celestial spheres.
Music paper, paper ruled with the musical staff, for the
use of composers and copyists.
Music pen, a pen for ruling at one time the five lines of
the musical staff.
Music shell (Zool.), a handsomely colored marine gastropod
shell (Voluta musica) found in the East Indies; -- so
called because the color markings often resemble printed
music. Sometimes applied to other shells similarly marked.
To face the music, to meet any disagreeable necessity, such
as a reprimand for an error or misdeed, without flinching.
[Colloq. or Slang]
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