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hem·i·sphere

(hĕmĭ-sfîr′)

a. A half of a sphere bounded by a great circle.

b. A half of a symmetrical, approximately spherical object as divided by a plane of symmetry.

2. Either half of the celestial sphere as divided by the ecliptic, the celestial equator, or the horizon.

3. Either the northern or southern half of the earth as divided by the equator or the eastern or western half as divided by a meridian.

4. Anatomy

a. Either of the lateral halves of the cerebrum; a cerebral hemisphere.

b. Either of the lateral halves of the cerebellum; a cerebellar hemisphere.

hem′i·spheric (-sfîrĭk, -sfĕr-), hem′i·spheri·cal adj.

hem′i·spheri·cal·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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