sphere /sfēr/

1. A solid figure bounded by a surface of which all points are equidistant from a centre, any cross-section of which is a circle
2. Its bounding surface or the space enclosed by it
3. The apparent sphere of the heavens, upon which the stars are seen in projection
4. Any one of the concentric spherical shells which were once supposed to carry the planets in their revolutions
5. A circle of society or class, orig of the higher ranks (as if a planetary sphere)
6. Domain, scope, range
7. A field of activity
8. Condition of life
9. A world, mode of being
10. A ball, globe
11. A spherical object, esp a planet
12. An orbit (archaic)

1. Denoting: the shape of a sphere
2. An area around a planet, as in ionosphere

1. To round
2. To place in a sphere
3. To encompass
4. To send about

sphērˈal adjective

sphered adjective

sphereˈless adjective

sphereˈlike adjective

spheric /sferˈik/ or spherˈical adjective

1. Of a sphere or spheres
2. Having the form of a sphere

sphericalˈity noun

spherˈically adverb

spherˈicalness or sphericity /-isˈi-ti/ noun

The state or quality of being spherical

spheristēˈrion noun

(Gr sphairistērion) a room or court for ball games

spherˈocyte noun

An abnormal red blood cell that is spherical rather than disc-shaped

spherocytoˈsis noun

The presence of spherocytes in the blood, as in certain haemolytic anaemias

sphēˈroid noun

A form of ellipsoid that is a body or figure which is nearly, but not quite, spherical (oblate spheroid a slightly flattened sphere; prolate spheroid a slightly lengthened sphere)

sphēroiˈdal adjective

sphēroidiˈcity noun

sphēroidizāˈtion or sphēroidisāˈtion noun

sphērˈoidize or sphērˈoidise transitive verb

To develop spherulitic or granular structure in

sphēromˈeter noun

An instrument for measuring curvature of surfaces

spherūlar /sferˈ/ adjective

spherˈūle noun

A small sphere or spherical object

spherˈūlite noun

A radiating spherical group of minute crystalline fibres occurring in certain rocks

spherūlitic /-litˈik/ adjective

sphēˈry adjective

1. Spherical, round
2. Belonging to the celestial spheres

sphereˈ-born adjective (Milton)

Of celestial origin

spherical aberration noun (physics, optics)

Loss of image definition which occurs when light strikes a lens or mirror with a spherical surface

spherical angle noun

An angle formed by arcs of great circles on the surface of a sphere

spherical coordinates plural noun

A set of coordinates locating a point in three-dimensional space

spherical geometry noun

The branch of geometry dealing with the properties of figures on the surface of spheres

spherical polygon noun

A closed figure bounded by three or more arcs of great circles on the surface of a sphere

spherical triangle noun

A three-sided figure on the surface of a sphere, bounded by arcs of great circles

spherical trigonometry noun

The branch of trigonometry concerned with the measurement of these

music (or harmony) of the spheres

The music, inaudible to mortal ears, produced according to Pythagoras by the motions of the celestial spheres in accordance with the laws of harmony

sphere of influence

Any region over which one nation has a dominant influence

• fenestrae
• fenestral
• fenestrals
• fenestra ovalis
• fenestra rotunda
• fenestras
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• fenestrated
• fenestration
• fenestrations
• fen-fire
• fen-fires
• fenfluramine
• fenfluramine hydrochloride
• feng shui
• feni
• Fenian
• Fenianism
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• fenitar
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• fenland
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• fenmen