\Sphe*roid"al\, a. [Cf. F. sph['e]ro["i]dal.]
Having the form of a spheroid. -- {Sphe*roid"al*ly}, adv.
{Spheroidal state} (Physics.), the state of a liquid, as
   water, when, on being thrown on a surface of highly heated
   metal, it rolls about in spheroidal drops or masses, at a
   temperature several degrees below ebullition, and without
   actual contact with the heated surface, -- a phenomenon
   due to the repulsive force of heat, the intervention of a
   cushion of nonconducting vapor, and the cooling effect of
   evaporation.