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ORB

Online Encyclopedia
Originally appearing in Volume V20, Page 164 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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ORB , a circle or See also:

ring (See also:Lat. orbis), hence a globe or disk or other spherical See also:object. It is thus used, chiefly poetically, of any of the heavenly bodies, including the See also:earth itself (Lat. orbis terrarum), or of the See also:eye-See also:ball or eye. The " orb," also known as the " See also:mound " (Lat. mundus, " See also:world "), consisting of a globe surmounted by a See also:cross, forms See also:part of many See also:regalia, being a See also:symbol of See also:sovereignty (see REGALIA). In See also:architecture the meaning to be attached to the word " orb " is doubtful. It is usually now taken to mean properly a See also:blank or See also:blind window, and thence a blank See also:panel. If so the word represents Lat. orbus, " bereft of," " orphaned," fenestra orba luminis. It is also identified with a circular See also:boss concealing the intersection of See also:arches in a vault.

End of Article: ORB

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