circle vs sphere

circle

noun
  • A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle. 

  • An instrument of observation, whose graduated limb consists of an entire circle. When fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle. 

  • A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance (radius) from a given point. 

  • A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning. 

  • A line comprising two semicircles of 30 yards radius centred on the wickets joined by straight lines parallel to the pitch used to enforce field restrictions in a one-day match. 

  • A bagginess of the skin below the eyes from lack of sleep. 

  • A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself. 

  • A territorial division or district. 

  • Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures. 

  • Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures. 

  • A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from a given point (center). 

  • A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest. 

  • The orbit of an astronomical body. 

  • A ritual circle that is cast three times deosil and closes three times widdershins either in the air with a wand or literally with stones or other items used for worship. 

  • A traffic circle or roundabout. 

verb
  • To travel around along a curved path. 

  • To travel in circles. 

  • To place or mark a circle around. 

  • To surround. 

sphere

noun
  • A regular three-dimensional object in which every cross-section is a circle; the figure described by the revolution of a circle about its diameter . 

  • The region in which something or someone is active; one's province, domain. 

  • The set of all points in three-dimensional Euclidean space (or n-dimensional space, in topology) that are a fixed distance from a fixed point . 

  • A spherical physical object; a globe or ball. 

  • Any of the concentric hollow transparent globes formerly believed to rotate around the Earth, and which carried the heavenly bodies; there were originally believed to be eight, and later nine and ten; friction between them was thought to cause a harmonious sound (the music of the spheres). 

  • The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied. 

  • An area of activity for a planet; or by extension, an area of influence for a god, hero etc. 

verb
  • To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to ensphere. 

  • To make round or spherical; to perfect. 

How often have the words circle and sphere occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )