n. | 1. | (Geom.) A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center. |
| 2. | Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth. |
| 3. | (Astron.) The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it. |
| 4. | (Logic) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied. |
| 5. | Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence. |
| 6. | Rank; order of society; social positions. |
| 7. | An orbit, as of a star; a socket.Doctrine of the sphere | applications of the principles of spherical trigonometry to the properties and relations of the circles of the sphere, and the problems connected with them, in astronomy and geography, as to the latitudes and longitudes, distance and bearing, of places on the earth, and the right ascension and declination, altitude and azimuth, rising and setting, etc., of the heavenly bodies; spherical geometry. |
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v. t. | 1. | To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere. |
| 2. | To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect. |