I. ˈsfir noun
Etymology: Middle English spere globe, celestial sphere, from Anglo-French espere, from Latin sphaera, from Greek sphaira, literally, ball; perhaps akin to Greek spairein to quiver — more at spurn
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible sky
(2) : any of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets, and moon are set
b. : a globe depicting such a sphere ; broadly : globe a
2.
a. : a globular body : ball
b. : planet , star
c.
(1) : a solid that is bounded by a surface consisting of all points at a given distance from a point constituting its center — see volume table
(2) : the bounding surface of a sphere
3. : natural, normal, or proper place ; especially : social order or rank
not in the same sphere as his moneyed friends
4.
a. obsolete : orbit
b. : an area or range over or within which someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or significance
the public sphere
• spher·ic ˈsfir-ik, ˈsfer- adjective , archaic
• sphe·ric·i·ty sfir-ˈi-sə-tē noun
II. transitive verb
( sphered ; spher·ing )
Date: 1602
1. : to place in a sphere or among the spheres : ensphere
2. : to form into a sphere