Part 642

Sphe`ro*con"ic (?), n. (Geom.) A nonplane curve formed by the intersection of the surface of an oblique cone with the surface of a sphere whose center is at the vertex of the cone.

Spher"o*graph (?), n. [Sphere + -graph.] An instrument for facilitating the practical use of spherics in navigation and astronomy, being constructed of two cardboards containing various circles, and turning upon each other in such a manner that any possible spherical triangle may be readily found, and the measures of the parts read off by inspection.

Sphe"roid (?), n. [L. spheroides ball-like, spherical, Gr. &?;&?;&?;; &?;&?;&?;&?; sphere + &?;&?;&?; form: cf. F. sphéroïde.] A body or figure approaching to a sphere, but not perfectly spherical; esp., a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about one of its axes.

Oblate spheroid, Prolate spheroid. See Oblate, Prolate, and Ellipsoid.

Sphe*roid"al (?), a. [Cf. F. sphéroïdal.] Having the form of a spheroid. -- Sphe*roid"al*ly, adv.

Spheroidal state (Physics.), the state of a liquid, as water, when, on being thrown on a surface of highly heated metal, it rolls about in spheroidal drops or masses, at a temperature several degrees below ebullition, and without actual contact with the heated surface, -- a phenomenon due to the repulsive force of heat, the intervention of a cushion of nonconducting vapor, and the cooling effect of evaporation.

{ Sphe*roid"ic (?), Sphe*roid"ic*al (?), } a. See Spheroidal. Cheyne.

{ Sphe`roi*dic"i*ty (?), Sphe*roid"i*ty (?), } n. The quality or state of being spheroidal.

Sphe"ro*mere (?), n. [Sphere + -mere.] (Zoöl.) Any one of the several symmetrical segments arranged around the central axis and composing the body of a radiate anmal.

Sphe*rom"e*ter (?), n. [Sphere + -meter: cf. F. sphéromètre.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the curvature of spherical surface, as of lenses for telescope, etc.

Spher`o*sid"er*ite (?), n. [Sphere + siderite.] (Min.) Siderite occuring in spheroidal masses.

Sphe"ro*some (?), n. [Sphere + -some body.] (Zoöl.) The body wall of any radiate animal.

Spher"u*late (?), a. Covered or set with spherules; having one or more rows of spherules, or minute tubercles.

Spher"ule (?), n. [L. spherula: cf. F. sphérule.] A little sphere or spherical body; as, quicksilver, when poured upon a plane, divides itself into a great number of minute spherules.

Spher"u*lite (?), n. [Cf. F. sphérulite.] (Min.) A minute spherical crystalline body having a radiated structure, observed in some vitreous volcanic rocks, as obsidian and pearlstone.

Spher`u*lit"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to a spherulite; characterized by the presence of spherulites.

Spher"y (?), a. 1. Round; spherical; starlike. [R.] "Hermia's sphery eyne." Shak.

2. Of or pertaining to the spheres. [R.]

She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime.

Milton.

Sphex (?), n.[NL., fr. Gr. &?;&?;&?;, &?;&?;&?;, a wasp.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of sand wasps of the genus Sphex and allied genera. These wasps have the abdomen attached to the thorax by a slender pedicel. See Illust. of Sand wasp, under Sand.

Sphex fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small dipterous flies of the genus Conops and allied genera. The form of the body is similar to that of a sphex.

Sphig*mom"e*ter (?), n. See Sphygmometer.

Sphinc"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. &?;&?;&?; to bind tight.] (Anat.) A muscle which surrounds, and by its contraction tends to close, a natural opening; as, the sphincter of the bladder.

Sphinc"ter, a. (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sphincter; as, a sphincter muscle.

Sphin"gid (?), n. (Zoöl.) A sphinx.

Sphin"gid, a. Of or pertaining to a sphinx, or the family Sphingidæ.

Sphinx (?), n. [L., from Gr. sfi`gx, usually derived from sfi`ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler.] 1. (a) In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry, having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion.