artificial horizon

[ahr-tuh-fish-uhl huh-rahy-zuhn]

noun

1. a level, as a surface of mercury, used in determining the altitudes of stars.

2. the bubble in a sextant or octant for aerial use.

3. Also called flight indicator. Also called gyro horizon. Aeronautics,  an instrument that indicates the banking and pitch of an aircraft with respect to the horizon.

artificial horizon

noun

1. Also called: gyro horizon. an aircraft instrument, using a gyroscope, that indicates the aircraft's attitude in relation to the horizontal

2. astronomy a level reflecting surface, such as one of mercury, that measures the altitude of a celestial body as half the angle between the body and its reflection

Word History and Origins

Origin of artificial horizon¹

First recorded in 1795–1805