sphæro-|ˈsfɪərəʊ|ad.Gr. σϕαιρο-, combining form of σϕαῖρα ball, sphere, employed in a considerable number of terms, esp.Bot. and Zool., of which only a few are naturalized in form or have any general currency. ˈsphæroblastBot.(seequot.); sphæroˈcobaltiteMin., ‘carbonate of cobalt, found in small spherical masses’ (Chester).; cf.spherocobaltites.v. sphero-; ˈsphæroconePalæont., an ammonoid with a very involute shell in which the outer whorl conceals the inner one and the whole has a globular form; sphæroˈdactyle, a species of humming-bird; ˈsphærolite, (a) (seequot.); (b) obs.var. spherulite; † sphæˈromachy(seequot.); sphærosome, var. spherosome; ˈsphærosporeBot.(seequot.); sphæroˈstilbiteMin., ‘a variety of stilbite, occurring in radiated spheres’ (Chester).1901H. M. Ward Diseases in Plants xxiv. 225 Woodnodules or *Sphæroblasts are curious marble-like masses of wood which protrude with a covering of bark from old trunks of Beeches, etc.1877Mineral.Mag. I. 267 *Sphœrocobaltite [sic]..occurs in spheroidal forms with roselite at Schneeberg, Saxony.1881Watts Dict.Chem., 3rd Suppl., Sphærocobaltite, or Cobalt-spar, is a native carbonate of cobalt belonging to the calcspar-group, black on the outside, red within.1923*Sphærocone [see serpenticone].1970R. M. Black Elements Palaeont. viii. 89 Sphaerocones occur repeatedly during ammonoid history.1860Gosse Rom.Nat.Hist. 149 The little *sphærodactyle,—which we might put into a quill-barrel, and carry home in the waistcoat pocket.1881Watts Dict.Chem., 3rd Suppl., *Sphærolite, a volcanic glass from the lava of Antisana.1658Phillips, *Sphæromachy, a playing at bowls, or tennis.1866Treas.Bot. 1081/1 *Sphærospore, the quadruple spore of some algals.1850Daubeny Atom. The. (ed. 2) xii. 410 The former combinations are called hydro⁓silicates... Example: *Sphærostilbite.