Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Orb?

\Orb\, n. [OF. orb blind, fr. L. orbus destitute.] (Arch.) A blank window or panel. [Obs.] --Oxf. Gloss.
\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}. 9. (Mil.) A body of soldiers drawn up in a circle, as for defense, esp. infantry to repel cavalry. Syn: Globe; ball; sphere. See {Globe}.
\Orb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Orbed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Orbing}.] 1. To form into an orb or circle. [Poetic] --Milton. Lowell. 2. To encircle; to surround; to inclose. [Poetic] The wheels were orbed with gold. --Addison.
\Orb\, v. i. To become round like an orb. [Poetic] And orb into the perfect star. --Tennyson.