hemisphere

Meaning

1. Half of the celestial sphere, as divided by either the ecliptic or the celestial equator .
2. (figuratively) A realm or domain of activity .
3. Half of the Earth, such as the Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, Western Hemisphere or Eastern Hemisphere, Land Hemisphere, Water Hemisphere etc. .
4. Any half-sphere, formed by a plane intersecting the center of a sphere. .
5. A map or projection of a celestial or terrestrial hemisphere .
6. Either of the two halves of the cerebrum. .

Synonyms

ball

cerebral hemisphere

province

realm

hemispheroid

semisphere

hemisphaerium

concave

Translations

hémisphère

hemisferio

emisfero

hemisfério

Halbkugel

hemisfeer

ημισφαίριο

halfrond

Hemisphäre

hemisferi

ἡμισφαίριον

bille

semisfera

كرة؛ كرية

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɛmɪsfɪə/

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”).