spherule

[ sfer-ool, -yool, sfeer- ]

noun

1. a small sphere or spherical body.

spherule

/ ˈsfɛruːl /

noun

1. a very small sphere or globule

Derived Forms

• ˈspherular, adjective

Other Word Forms

• spher·u·lar [sfer, -y, oo, -ler, sfeer, -], adjective
• spher·u·late [sfer, -y, oo, -leyt, -lit, sfeer, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherule¹

From the Late Latin word sphaerula, dating back to 1655–65. See sphere, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherule¹

C17: from Late Latin sphaerula a little sphere

Example Sentences

They were looking for spherule particles, or tiny fragments of rock, left behind by impact.

From BBC

We found that the spherules along the meteor path have an unusual composition that suggests that they came from outside the solar system.

From Salon

Loeb says additional evidence comes from the trajectory of IM1 as it passed through the atmosphere and broke apart before entering the ocean as spherules.

From Salon

Droplets of once-molten material, spherules routinely form in explosions of ordinary meteors, and also in volcanic eruptions.

From Science Magazine

These spherules are tantalizing, especially given that many of them show compositional anomalies relative to typical ones.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• dot
• pellet
• stone