[sphere] n [ME spere globe, celestial sphere, fr. MF espere, fr. L sphaera, fr. Gk sphaira, lit., ball; perh. akin to Gk spairein to quiver--more at spurn] (14c) 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 (2): the bounding surface of a sphere
3: natural, normal, or proper place; esp: social order or rank
4. a obs: orbit b: an area or range over or within which someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or significance -- spher.ic adj, archaic -- sphe.ric.i.ty n
[2]sphere vt sphered ; spher.ing (1607) 1: to place in a sphere or among the spheres: ensphere
2: to form into a sphere