sfɪə n. & v. --n. 1 a
solid figure, or
its surface,
with every point on its surface
equidistant from its
centre. 2 an
object having
this shape; a ball or
globe. 3 a
any celestial body. b a globe representing
the earth. c
poet. the heavens; the
sky. d the sky perceived as a
vault upon or in
which celestial bodies are represented as lying. e
hist.
each of a
series of revolving concentrically arranged
spherical shells in which celestial bodies
were formerly thought to be set in a fixed
relationship. 4 a a
field of
action,
influence, or
existence (have
done much within their own sphere). b a (usu. specified)
stratum of
society or
social class (moves in
quite another sphere). --v.tr.
archaic or poet. 1
enclose in or as in a sphere. 2
form into a sphere. ømusic (or harmony) of the spheres the
natural harmonic tones
supposedly produced by the
movement of the celestial spheres (see
sense 3e of n.) or the bodies fixed in
them.
oblique (or
parallel or right) sphere the sphere of the
apparent heavens at a
place where there is an oblique,
zero, or
right angle between the
equator and the
horizon. sphere of influence the claimed or recognized
area of a State's interests, an individual's
control, etc. øøspheral adj. [ME sper(e) f. OF espere f. LL sphera, L f. Gk sphaira ball]
