sensible horizon

sensible horizon

noun Astronomy.
See under horizon ( def 2a ).
Origin:
1635–45

Dictionary.com Unabridged

ho·ri·zon

[huh-rahy-zuhn]
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; < 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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Collins
World English Dictionary
horizon (həˈraɪzən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—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

sensible horizon
 
—n
See horizon

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."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
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.


sensible horizon   (sěn'sə-bəl)  Pronunciation Key 
The plane of an observer's position lying at a right angle to the line formed by the observer's zenith and nadir. The plane of the sensible horizon is parallel to the plane of the observer's celestial horizon but is tangential to the Earth's surface rather than passing through the Earth's center. Both the celestial and sensible horizons change with the observer's position. Compare celestial horizon.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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