Science & TechnologyGreek → English
Atmosphere
The layer of gases surrounding a planet; a prevailing mood.
The Greek roots
ἀτμός
atmós
vapour
σφαῖρα
sphaîra
sphere, ball
Literally: “sphere of vapour”
The story of the word
A 'ball of vapour' wrapping the earth. The sphaîra also rolls through hemisphere and stratosphere.
The same roots elsewhere
Other languages reached for exactly the same Greek pieces.
In a sentence
The café had a warm, unhurried atmosphere.