1. [n]  the ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye
2. [n]  an object with a spherical shape; "a ball of fire"

1. \Orb\, n. [OF. orb blind, fr. L. orbus destitute.] (Arch.)
   A blank window or panel. [Obs.] --Oxf. Gloss.
   
   

2. \Orb\, n. [F. orbe, fr. L. orbis circle, orb. Cf. {Orbit}.]
   1. A spherical body; a globe; especially, one of the
      celestial spheres; a sun, planet, or star.
   
            In the small orb of one particular tear. --Shak.
   
            Whether the prime orb, Incredible how swift, had
            thither rolled.                       --Milton.
   
   2. One of the azure transparent spheres conceived by the
      ancients to be inclosed one within another, and to carry
      the heavenly bodies in their revolutions.
   
   3. A circle; esp., a circle, or nearly circular orbit,
      described by the revolution of a heavenly body; an orbit.
   
            The schoolmen were like astronomers, which did feign
            eccentrics, and epicycles, and such engines of orbs.
                                                  --Bacon.
   
            You seem to me as Dian in her orb.    --Shak.
   
            In orbs Of circuit inexpressible they stood, Orb
            within orb.                           --Milton.
   
   4. A period of time marked off by the revolution of a
      heavenly body. [R.] --Milton.
   
   5. The eye, as luminous and spherical. [Poetic]
   
            A drop serene hath quenched their orbs. --Milton.
   
   6. A revolving circular body; a wheel. [Poetic]
   
            The orbs Of his fierce chariot rolled. --Milton.
   
   7. A sphere of action. [R.] --Wordsworth.
   
            But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe. --Shak
   
   8. Same as {Mound}, a ball or globe. See lst {Mound}.
   
   
   
   9. (Mil.) A body of soldiers drawn up in a circle, as for
      defense, esp. infantry to repel cavalry.
   
   Syn: Globe; ball; sphere. See {Globe}.
   
   

3. \Orb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Orbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Orbing}.]
   1. To form into an orb or circle. [Poetic] --Milton. Lowell.
   
   2. To encircle; to surround; to inclose. [Poetic]
   
            The wheels were orbed with gold.      --Addison.
   
   

4. \Orb\, v. i.
   To become round like an orb. [Poetic]
   
         And orb into the perfect star.           --Tennyson.
   
   

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