- Orb
- Orb Orb, n. [F. orbe, fr. L. orbis circle, orb. Cf. {Orbit}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A spherical body; a globe; especially, one of the
celestial spheres; a sun, planet, or star.
[1913 Webster]
In the small orb of one particular tear. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Whether the prime orb, Incredible how swift, had thither rolled. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. One of the azure transparent spheres conceived by the ancients to be inclosed one within another, and to carry the heavenly bodies in their revolutions. [1913 Webster]
3. A circle; esp., a circle, or nearly circular orbit, described by the revolution of a heavenly body; an orbit. [1913 Webster]
The schoolmen were like astronomers, which did feign eccentrics, and epicycles, and such engines of orbs. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
You seem to me as Dian in her orb. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
In orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, Orb within orb. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
4. A period of time marked off by the revolution of a heavenly body. [R.] --Milton. [1913 Webster]
5. The eye, as luminous and spherical. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]
A drop serene hath quenched their orbs. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
6. A revolving circular body; a wheel. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]
The orbs Of his fierce chariot rolled. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
7. A sphere of action or influence. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe. --Shak [1913 Webster]
8. Same as {Mound}, a ball or globe. See 1st {Mound}. [1913 Webster]
9. (Mil.) A body of soldiers drawn up in a circle, as for defense, esp. infantry to repel cavalry. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Globe; ball; sphere. See {Globe}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
