semi-orb

plural semi-orbs

1. hemisphere

   The Terraqueous Globe comprehending Sea and Land, Rivers and Lakes, ſtands divided by modern Geographers into two Semi-Orbs, viz. the Old, and New World.

   1669, John Nievhoff, translated by John Ogilby, An Embassy from the Eaſt-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham Emperour of China, London: John Macock, →OCLC, page 3

   1 more example

   At first, half the periphery was visible in the horizon, like an arch of fire, with the most brilliant indentations. Soon afterwards, a new and singular phænomenon was displayed: the upper part of this semi-orb seemed separated from its truncated segment below, and remained suspended above it, like a lambent flame over an expiring lamp; […]

   1819, Edward Daniel Clarke, Travels in Various Countries of Europe Asia and Africa, Part the Third: Scandinavia, section 1, page 485