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horizons

- 3 dictionary results

ho⋅ri⋅zon

  [huh-rahy-zuhn]
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–noun
1. the line or circle that forms the apparent boundary between earth and sky.
2. Astronomy.
a. 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).
b. 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).
3. the limit or range of perception, knowledge, or the like.
4. Usually, horizons. the scope of a person's interest, education, understanding, etc.: His horizons were narrow.
5. Geology. a thin, distinctive stratum useful for stratigraphic correlation.
6. any of the series of distinctive layers found in a vertical cross section of any well-developed soil.
Origin:
1540–50; < L horizōn < Gk horízōn (kýklos) bounding (circle), equiv. to horíz(ein) to bound, limit + -ōn prp. suffix (nom. sing.); r. ME orizonte < MF < L horizontem, acc. of horizōn

Synonyms:
4. world, perspective, domain, viewpoint.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ho·ri·zon   (hə-rī'zən)   
n.  
  1. The apparent intersection of the earth and sky as seen by an observer. Also called apparent horizon.
  2. Astronomy
    1. The sensible horizon.
    2. The celestial horizon.
    3. The limit of the theoretically possible universe.
    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.
  3. The range of one's knowledge, experience, or interest.
  4. 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.
  5. Archaeology A period during which the influence of a specified culture spread rapidly over a defined area: artifacts associated with the Olmec horizon in Mesoamerica.

[Middle English orizon, from Old French, from Latin, from Greek horizōn (kuklos), limiting (circle), horizon, present participle of horizein, to limit, from horos, boundary.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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.
  2. 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.
  3. Archaeology A period during which the influence of a particular culture spread rapidly over a defined area.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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