| 释义 |
hem·i·sphere
\ˈhemə̇ˌsfi(ə)r, -iə\ noun
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Middle French emisphere) of Middle English hemispere, hemisperie, from Latin hemisphaerium, from Greek hēmisphairion, from hēmi- hemi- (I) + sphairion small sphere (diminutive of sphaira sphere, ball)
1.
a. : a half of the celestial sphere divided into two halves by the horizon, the celestial equator, or the ecliptic
b. obsolete : the sky above the horizon or overhead
c. : a projection on a plane surface of half of the celestial sphere
2. : realm, province
< a hemisphere of special knowledge >
< a hemisphere of life heretofore unknown to us >
< a discovery that was to have important repercussions in the hemispheres of French literary life — Times Literary Supplement >
3.
a. : a half of the terrestrial globe especially as divided by the equator
< sailed down over the equator into the southern hemisphere >
or into halves one of which contains Europe, Asia, and Africa and the other the Americas
< sailed from Europe for the western hemisphere >
b. : a map or projection of one of these halves
c. : the inhabitants of one of these halves of the earth
< America's plans did not seem to interest the eastern hemisphere >
4. : either of two half spheres formed by a plane through a sphere's center
5. : cerebral hemisphere |