Lewis & Short

† sphaera (post-class. sphēra; once sphĕra, Prud. Apoth. 278), ae, f., = σφαῖρα, a ball, globe, sphere (pure Lat. globus, Cic. N. D. 2, 18, 47).

  1. I. In gen.: sphaeras pugnum altas facito, Cato, R. R. 82; Cic. Fat. 8, 15: habent suam sphaeram stellae inerrantes, id. N. D. 2, 21, 55.
  2. II. In partic.
    1. A. A globe or sphere made to represent the heavenly bodies, Cic. Rep. 1, 14, 21 sq.; 1, 17, 28; id. Tusc. 1, 25, 63; 5, 23, 64; id. N. D. 2, 35, 88; id. de Or. 3, 40, 162.
    2. B. A globe, one of the great bodies of the universe, Macr. Somn. Scip. 2, 4, 8; Mart. Cap. 7, § 741.
    3. C. A ball for playing with (syn. follis), Cael. Aur. Tard. 3, 6, 88; 5, 11, 134; Amm. 21, 14, 1; in the hand of a statue, id. 25, 10, 2.