sphere

Where does the word "sphere" come from? It comes from Greek sphaira, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Sphere’s story begins in Greek: sphaira meant “ball.” Greek, a ball or globe. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as espere. Came via Latin 'sphaera'. It reached English by 1300s as sphere. 'sphere of influence' dates from the 1800s. Today, sphere means a round solid figure; an area of activity.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient sphaira "ball", Greek, a ball or globe.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval espere "globe", came via Latin 'sphaera'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s sphere "celestial globe", 'sphere of influence' dates from the 1800s.