Doctrine of the sphere

applications of the principles of spherical trigonometry to the properties and relations of the circles of the sphere, and the problems connected with them, in astronomy and geography, as to the latitudes and longitudes, distance and bearing, of places on the earth, and the right ascension and declination, altitude and azimuth, rising and setting, etc., of the heavenly bodies; spherical geometry.

See also: Sphere

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.