English Explanatory Dictionary

Magdeburg hemisphere

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Either of a pair of large copper hemispheres, with mating rims, that were used to demonstrate the power of atmospheric pressure. When the rims were sealed with grease and the air was pumped out, the sphere contained a vacuum and could not be pulled apart even by teams of horses.

Word forms

Magdeburg hemisphere Magdeburg hemispheres

Etymology

They were designed by Otto von Guericke, a German scientist and mayor of Magdeburg, in 1656.

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