Orb \Orb\, n. [F. orbe, fr. L. orbis circle, orb. Cf. Orbit.]
1. A spherical body; a globe; especially, one of the
celestial spheres; a sun, planet, or star.
In the small orb of one particular tear. --Shak.
Whether the prime orb, Incredible how swift, had
thither rolled. --Milton.
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.
3. A circle; esp., a circle, or nearly circular orbit,
described by the revolution of a heavenly body; an orbit.
The schoolmen were like astronomers, which did feign
eccentrics, and epicycles, and such engines of orbs.
--Bacon.
You seem to me as Dian in her orb. --Shak.
In orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, Orb
within orb. --Milton.
4. A period of time marked off by the revolution of a
heavenly body. [R.]
--Milton.
5. The eye, as luminous and spherical. [Poetic]
A drop serene hath quenched their orbs. --Milton.
6. A revolving circular body; a wheel. [Poetic]
The orbs Of his fierce chariot rolled. --Milton.
7. A sphere of action. [R.]
--Wordsworth.
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe. --Shak
8. Same as Mound, a ball or globe. See lst Mound.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|