Defn: Having the form of a spheroid. — Sphe*roid"al*ly, adv. Spheroidal state (Physics.), the state of a liquid, as water, when, on being thrown on a surface of highly heated metal, it rolls about in spheroidal drops or masses, at a temperature several degrees below ebullition, and without actual contact with the heated surface, — a phenomenon due to the repulsive force of heat, the intervention of a cushion of nonconducting vapor, and the cooling effect of evaporation.
SPHEROIDIC; SPHEROIDICAL
Sphe*roid"ic, Sphe*roid"ic*al, a.
Defn: See Spheroidal. Cheyne.
SPHEROIDICITY; SPHEROIDITY
Sphe`roi*dic"i*ty, Sphe*roid"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being spheroidal.
SPHEROMERE
Sphe"ro*mere, n. Etym: [Sphere + -mere.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of the several symmetrical segments arranged around the central axis and composing the body of a radiate anmal.
SPHEROMETER
Sphe*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Sphere + -meter: cf. F. sphéromètre.]
(Physics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the curvature of spherical surface, as of lenses for telescope, etc.
SPHEROSIDERITE
Spher`o*sid"er*ite, n. Etym: [Sphere + siderite.] (Min.)