orb Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye
eyeball.
noun an object with a spherical shape
globe; ball.
- a ball of fire
verb move in an orbit
revolve; orbit.
- The moon orbits around the Earth
- The planets are orbiting the sun
- electrons orbit the nucleus

OF. orb blind, fr. L. orbus destitute.

F. orbe, fr. L. orbis circle, orb. Cf. Orbit.

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.
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.
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.
A period of time marked off by the revolution of a heavenly body. R. Milton.
The eye, as luminous and spherical. Poetic
A drop serene hath quenched their orbs. Milton.
A revolving circular body; a wheel. Poetic
The orbs Of his fierce chariot rolled. Milton.
A sphere of action. R. Wordsworth.
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe. Shak
Same as Mound, a ball or globe. See lst Mound.
(Mil.) A body of soldiers drawn up in a circle, as for defense, esp. infantry to repel cavalry. Syn. -- Globe; ball; sphere. See Globe.

imperfect & past participle Orbed ; present participle & verbal noun Orbing

To form into an orb or circle. Poetic Milton. Lowell.
To encircle; to surround; to inclose. Poetic
The wheels were orbed with gold. Addison.

To become round like an orb. Poetic
And orb into the perfect star. Tennyson.