hemisphere
UK /ˈhɛmɪsfɪə/ · US /ˈhɛmɪsfɪɹ/ noun
Forms hemispheres hemisphære
- noun (astronomy, astrology) Half of the celestial sphere, as divided by either the ecliptic or the celestial equator .
- noun (figuratively) A realm or domain of activity .
- noun (geography) Half of the Earth, such as the Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, Western Hemisphere or Eastern Hemisphere, Land Hemisphere, Water Hemisphere etc. .
- noun (geometry) Any half-sphere, formed by a plane intersecting the center of a sphere. .
- noun (cartography) A map or projection of a celestial or terrestrial hemisphere .
- noun (anatomy) Either of the two halves of the cerebrum. .
Synonyms
celestial hemisphere sphere half-sphere planisphere cerebral hemisphere terrestrial hemisphere half sphere
Etymology
From Latin hemisphaerium, from Ancient Greek ἡμισφαίριον (hēmisphaírion), from ἡμι- (hēmi-, “half”) + σφαῖρα (sphaîra, “sphere”). Equivalent to hemi- + sphere. Displaced native Old English healftrendel (literally “half-sphere”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A half sphere; one half of a sphere or globe, when divided by a plane passing through its center.
- noun Half of the terrestrial globe, or a projection of the same in a map or picture.
Etymology [L. hemisphaerium, Gr. hémisphère. See Hemi-, and Sphere.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “hemisphere”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details