FIRMAMENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does firmament mean? 

• FIRMAMENT (noun)
  The noun FIRMAMENT has 1 sense:

1. the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

  Familiarity information: FIRMAMENT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FIRMAMENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

celestial sphere; empyrean; firmament; heavens; sphere; vault of heaven; welkin

Hypernyms ("firmament" is a kind of...):

surface (the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object)

Meronyms (parts of "firmament"):

apex; apex of the sun's way; solar apex (the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars)

celestial point (a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere))

nadir (the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zenith (the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zodiac (a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes)

Derivation:

firmamental (relating to the firmament or upper regions)

 Context examples 

The breeze was from the west: it came over the hills, sweet with scents of heath and rush; the sky was of stainless blue; the stream descending the ravine, swelled with past spring rains, poured along plentiful and clear, catching golden gleams from the sun, and sapphire tints from the firmament.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)