sphere (sf?r)n.1. Mathematics A three-dimensional surface, all points of which are equidistant from a fixed point.2. A spherical object or figure.3. A celestial body, such as a planet or star.4. The sky, appearing as a hemisphere to an observer: the sphere of the heavens.5. Any of a series of concentric, transparent, revolving globes that together were once thought to contain the moon, sun, planets, and stars.6. a. A range or extent of knowledge, interest, or activity: a problem that falls within the sphere of biophysics. See Synonyms at field.b. A social level or part of society or group: knew few people beyond his partner’s sphere.c. A range of power or influence: within the sphere of the empire.tr.v. sphered, spher·ing, spheres 1. To form into a sphere.2. To put in or within a sphere.[Middle English spere, from Old French espere, from Latin sphaera, from Greek sphaira.]sphe·ric?i·ty (sfî-r?s??-t?) n.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.sphere (sf??) n1. (Mathematics) maths a. a three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from a given point, the centreb. the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: (x?a)2 + (y?b)2 + (z?c)2 = r2, where r is the radius and (a, b, c) are the coordinates of the centre; surface area: 4?r2; volume: 4?r3/32. any object having approximately this shape; globe3. (Astronomy) the night sky considered as a vaulted roof; firmament4. (Astronomy) any heavenly object such as a planet, natural satellite, or star5. (Astronomy) (in the Ptolemaic or Copernican systems of astronomy) one of a series of revolving hollow globes, arranged concentrically, on whose transparent surfaces the sun (or in the Copernican system the earth), the moon, the planets, and fixed stars were thought to be set, revolving around the earth (or in the Copernican system the sun)6. particular field of activity; environment: that’s out of my sphere. 7. (Sociology) a social class or stratum of societyvb (tr) 8. to surround or encircle9. to place aloft or in the heavens[C14: from Late Latin sph?ra, from Latin sphaera globe, from Greek sphaira]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014sphere (sf??r) n., v. sphered, spher?ing. n. 1. a. a solid geometric figure generated by the revolution of a semicircle about its diameter; a round body whose surface is at all points equidistant from the center. b. the surface of such a figure; a spherical surface. 2. any rounded, globular body. 3. a. a planet or star; heavenly body. b. celestial sphere. c. any of the transparent, concentric, spherical shells, or layers, in which, according to ancient belief, the planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies were set. 4. the environment within which a person or thing exists, acts, or operates. 5. a field of something specified: a sphere of knowledge. v.t. 6. to enclose in a sphere. 7. to form into a sphere. 8. to place among the heavenly spheres. [1275?1325;
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-sphere n combining form 1. having the shape or form of a sphere: bathysphere. 2. indicating a spherelike enveloping mass: atmosphere. -spheric adj combining formCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014sphere (sf??r) n., v. sphered, spher?ing. n. 1. a. a solid geometric figure generated by the revolution of a semicircle about its diameter; a round body whose surface is at all points equidistant from the center. b. the surface of such a figure; a spherical surface. 2. any rounded, globular body. 3. a. a planet or star; heavenly body. b. celestial sphere. c. any of the transparent, concentric, spherical shells, or layers, in which, according to ancient belief, the planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies were set. 4. the environment within which a person or thing exists, acts, or operates. 5. a field of something specified: a sphere of knowledge. v.t. 6. to enclose in a sphere. 7. to form into a sphere. 8. to place among the heavenly spheres. [1275?1325;