globe definition

1. A round or spherical body, solid or hollow; a body whose surface is in every part equidistant from the center; a ball; a sphere.

2. Anything which is nearly spherical or globular in shape; as, the globe of the eye; the globe of a lamp.

3. The earth; the terraqueous ball; usually preceded by the definite article.

4. A round model of the world; a spherical representation of the earth or heavens; as, a terrestrial or celestial globe; called also artificial globe.

5. A body of troops, or of men or animals, drawn up in a circle; a military formation used by the Romans, answering to the modern infantry square. "Him round A globe of fiery seraphim inclosed." (Milton) Globe amaranth, a thistlelike plant with the flowers in large globular heads (Cynara Scolymus); also, certain species of the related genus Echinops. Globe valve. A ball valve. A valve inclosed in a globular chamber.

Synonyms: Globe, Sphere, Orb, Ball.

Globe denotes a round, and usually a solid body; sphere is the term applied in astronomy to such a body, or to the concentric spheres or orbs of the old astronomers; orb is used, especially in poetry, for globe or sphere, and also for the pathway of a heavenly body; ball is applied to the heavenly bodies concieved of as impelled through space.

Origin: L. Globus, perh. Akin to L. Glomus a ball of yarn, and E. Clump, golf: cf. F. Globe.

(01 Mar 1998)