Spherify

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To transform a liquid into a spherical shape, often through a process that involves gelatin or similar agents
2. To make something assume a spherical form, commonly used in culinary techniques for presentation
3. To create tiny spheres from a substance, typically achieved by using molecular gastronomy methods for innovative food experiences

Etymology: "Spherify" is a plain formation: the noun "sphere" with the verb-forming suffix "-ify," which comes from Latin "-ificare," meaning "to make" or "to cause to become." Put together, the word means to make something into a sphere. The culinary sense is the most recent layer. Spherification is the technique of shaping a liquid into small, membrane-like spheres by gelling its surface, most famously associated with modern molecular gastronomy. The verb simply took the older meaning of "make spherical" and applied it to that kitchen process. The pattern itself is old and productive. English has long used "-ify" to turn nouns and adjectives into verbs, as in "simplify," "beautify," and "solidify," so "spherify" follows an established model rather than being an unusual invention.

Synonyms: sphericalize, round