celestial horizon

noun Astronomy.

See under horizon ( def 2b ).

Origin:
1895–1900

Dictionary.com Unabridged

noun

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.

any of the series of distinctive layers found in a vertical cross section of any well-developed soil.

Origin:
1540–50; < Latin horizōn < Greek horízōn (kýklos) bounding (circle), equivalent to horíz(ein) to bound, limit + -ōn present participle suffix (nominative singular); replacing Middle English orizonte < Middle French < Latin horizontem, accusative of horizōn

Synonyms
4. world, perspective, domain, viewpoint.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To celestial horizon

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Celestial horizon is always a great word to know.

So is callithumpian. Does it mean:

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

celestial horizon

—n
	See horizon

horizon (həˈraɪz^ən)

—n
1.	visible horizon, Also called: apparent horizon the apparent line that divides the earth and the sky
2.	astronomy
	a. Also called: sensible horizon the circular intersection with the celestial sphere of the plane tangential to the earth at the position of the observer
	b. Also called: celestial horizon the great circle on the celestial sphere, the plane of which passes through the centre of the earth and is parallel to the sensible horizon
3.	the range or limit of scope, interest, knowledge, etc
4.	a thin layer of rock within a stratum that has a distinct composition, esp of fossils, by which the stratum may be dated
5.	A horizon B horizon See C horizon a layer in a soil profile having particular characteristics
6.	on the horizon likely or about to happen or appear

[C14: from Latin, from Greek horizōn kuklos limiting circle, from horizein to limit, from horos limit]

ho'rizonless

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

horizon

late 14c., from O.Fr. orizon (14c.), earlier orizonte (13c.), from L. horizontem (nom. horizon), from Gk. horizon kyklos "bounding circle," from horizein "bound, limit, divide, separate," from horos "boundary." The h- was restored 17c. in imitation of Latin. Horizontal (1550s) originally meant "relating

to or near the horizon," later (1638) parallel to it, "flat."

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

celestial horizon
A great circle on the celestial sphere having a plane that passes through the center of the Earth at a right angle to the line formed by an observer's zenith and nadir. The celestial horizon divides the celestial sphere into two equal hemispheres based on the observer's location, with one hemisphere representing the half of the sky visible to the observer at that location and the other representing the half that is hidden from the observer below the Earth's horizon. The celestial horizon is used as the reference point in determining a celestial body's altitude. Also called rational horizon. Compare sensible horizon.

horizon

(hə-rī'zən) Pronunciation Key

1. The apparent intersection of the Earth and sky as seen by an observer. Also called apparent horizon.
2. See celestial horizon.
3. See sensible horizon.
4. 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.
5. A specific layer of soil or subsoil in a vertical cross-section of land.
Geology
1. 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.
2. 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.

Matching Quote

"Therefore bivouac we
On this great, blond highway, unimpeded by
Veiled scruples, worn conundrums. Morning is
Impermanent. Grab sex things, swing up
Over the horizon like a boy
On a fishing expedition."

-John Ashbery

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celestial horizon

celestial horizon

ho·ri·zon