horizon
- the line or circle that forms the apparent boundary between earth and sky.
- Astronomy.
- the small circle of the celestial sphere whose plane is tangent to the earth at the position of a given observer, or the plane of such a circle (sensible horizon).
- Also called rational horizon.the great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the center of the earth and is parallel to the sensible horizon of a given position, or the plane of such a circle (celestial horizon).
- the limit or range of perception, knowledge, or the like.
- Usually horizons. the scope of a person's interest, education, understanding, etc.: His horizons were narrow.
- Geology. a thin, distinctive stratum useful for stratigraphic correlation.
- Also called soil horizon. any of the series of distinctive layers found in a vertical cross section of any well-developed soil.
Origin of horizon
Synonyms for horizon
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for horizon
prospect, scope, boundary, perspective, purview, vista, realm, ken, stretch, reach, sphere, range, limit, compass, borderExamples from the Web for horizon
Contemporary Examples of horizon
But without any peace talks on the horizon, everyone is now left to their own devices.
They can hear the sound of his boat's motor, growing louder as it comes over the horizon.
Ebah, speaking from his home in the camp, said suggestively, “There are signs of a big thing on the horizon.”
But with the 2016 presidential season on the horizon, the Texas firebrand has subtly changed his tune over the last six months.
As F-16s roared from one end of the horizon to the other, they dipped to bomb a grassland strip.
Historical Examples of horizon
No sooner was the first light streaking the horizon to the east than Andrew wakened.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
He kept his eyes upon the Star, where it burned white on the horizon.
The Trail BookMary Austin
Above the horizon is a goddess who holds in her left hand an ear of corn.
The Babylonian Legends of the CreationBritish Museum
And almost immediately the rim of the sun showed above the horizon.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
Those that sit on the edge of the horizon are huge and golden, like desert watch-fires.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
horizon
- Also called: visible horizon, apparent horizon the apparent line that divides the earth and the sky
- astronomy
- Also called: sensible horizonthe circular intersection with the celestial sphere of the plane tangential to the earth at the position of the observer
- Also called: celestial horizonthe great circle on the celestial sphere, the plane of which passes through the centre of the earth and is parallel to the sensible horizon
- the range or limit of scope, interest, knowledge, etc
- a thin layer of rock within a stratum that has a distinct composition, esp of fossils, by which the stratum may be dated
- a layer in a soil profile having particular characteristicsSee A horizon, B horizon, C horizon
- on the horizon likely or about to happen or appear
Word Origin for horizon
Word Origin and History for horizon
late 14c., orisoun, from Old French orizon (14c., Modern French horizon), earlier orizonte (13c.), from Latin horizontem (nominative horizon), from Greek horizon kyklos "bounding circle," from horizein "bound, limit, divide, separate," from horos "boundary." The h- was restored 17c. in imitation of Latin.
horizon
- The apparent intersection of the Earth and sky as seen by an observer. Also called apparent horizon
- See celestial horizon.
- See sensible horizon.
- Geology
- A specific position in a stratigraphic column, such as the location of one or more fossils, that serves to identify the stratum with a particular period.
- A specific layer of soil or subsoil in a vertical cross-section of land.
- Archaeology A period during which the influence of a particular culture spread rapidly over a defined area.
Idioms and Phrases with horizon
horizon
see on the horizon.