orb

[ awrb ]

noun

1. a sphere or globe:

   a Christmas tree hung with brightly colored orbs.

2. the eyeball or eye:

   He looks with blind orbs on an indifferent world.

3. any of the heavenly bodies, as the sun or moon:

   He lay on the grass, warmed by that orb of day, the sun.

4. a globe bearing a cross; the mound or emblem of sovereignty, especially as part of the regalia of England.
5. Astrology. the number of degrees from exactness within which an aspect operates.
6. a circle or something circular.
7. Astronomy. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
8. the earth.

verb (used with object)

1. to form into a circle or sphere.
2. Archaic. to encircle; enclose.

verb (used without object)

1. to move in an orbit.
2. to form into an orb or globe; round out.

orb

/ ɔːb /

noun

1. (in royal regalia) an ornamental sphere surmounted by a cross, representing the power of a sovereign
2. a sphere; globe
3. poetic.
   another word for eye 1
4. obsolete.
   1. a celestial body, esp the earth or sun
   2. the orbit of a celestial body
5. an archaic word for circle

verb

1. to make or become circular or spherical
2. tr an archaic word for encircle

Other Words From

• orbless adjective
• orblike adjective
• un·orbed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orb¹

First recorded in 1520–30, orb is from the Latin word orbis circle, disk, orb

Word History and Origins

Origin of orb¹

C16: from Latin orbis circle, disc

Example Sentences

He also created an eerie orb sitting within the ancient Callanish stones on the Isle of Lewis, by swinging a light on the end of a string like a lasso during the long exposure time.

From BBC

Like the warped fabric of Albert Einstein’s space-time continuum, the curvature also recalls the famous opening frames of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” where the blinding white light of the sun seems to rise from behind the black orb of an Earth buried — and maybe even lost — within the surrounding void of outer space.

From Los Angeles Times

It exists, and is most commonly seen at places like children’s museums, where you can touch a glass orb and see the electricity follow your finger.

From Slate

A trail of musks, resinous woods and creamy florals follow him around like an orb of protection.

From Los Angeles Times

Visitors flock here from around the world to stand before trees that count their age in centuries, rooted in the soil of a spinning orb that’s flying through space.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sphere