sphere
Cross references: 1. volume 1. sphere \'sfi(*)r\ \'sfi(*)r-ik, 'sfer-\ \sfir-'is-*t-e-\ n [ME spere globe, celestial sphere, fr. MF espere, fr. L sphaera)X, fr. Gk sphaira, lit., ball 1a1: the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of th e visible sky 1a2: one of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent sh ells in which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets, and moon are set 1b: a globe depiciting such a sphere; broadly : GLOBE 2a: a globular body : BALL 2b: PLANET, STAR 2c: a surface all points of which are equally distant from a center 3: natural, normal, or proper place; esp : social order or rank obs 4a: ORBIT 4b: a field or range of influence or significance : PROVINCE - spher.ic aj 2. sphere vt 1: to place in a sphere or among the spheres : ENSPHERE 2: to form into a sphere
Webster's English Dictionary