Meanings
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Thesaurus
Synonyms
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noun
· either half of the cerebrum
cerebral hemisphere
Appears in
Simplified etymology
Hemisphere was formed in the late 16th century from hemi-, meaning “half,” and sphere. Sphere comes through Greek sphaira, “globe” or “ball,” so hemisphere literally denotes half of a sphere.
Etymology
From Latin hemisphaerium, from Ancient Greek ἡμισφαίριον (hēmisphaírion), from ἡμι- (hēmi-, “half”) + σφαῖρα (sphaîra, “sphere”). Equivalent to hemi- + sphere. Displaced native Old English healftrendel (literally “half-sphere”).