| Spheroid | n. [ L. spheroides ball-like, spherical, Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;; &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; sphere + e'i^dos form: cf. F. sphéroïde. ] A body or figure approaching to a sphere, but not perfectly spherical; esp., a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about one of its axes. [ 1913 Webster ]
Oblate spheroid,
Prolate spheroid. See Oblate, Prolate, and Ellipsoid. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Spheroidal | a. [ Cf. F. sphéroïdal. ] Having the form of a spheroid. -- Sphe*roid"al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
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