Horizon \Ho*ri"zon\, n. [F., fr. L. horizon, fr. Gr. ? (sc. ?)
the bounding line, horizon, fr. ? to bound, fr. ? boundary,
limit.]
1. The line which bounds that part of the earth's surface
visible to a spectator from a given point; the apparent
junction of the earth and sky.
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And when the morning sun shall raise his car
Above the border of this horizon. --Shak.
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All the horizon round
Invested with bright rays. --Milton.
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2. (Astron.)
(a) A plane passing through the eye of the spectator and
at right angles to the vertical at a given place; a
plane tangent to the earth's surface at that place;
called distinctively the sensible horizon.
(b) A plane parallel to the sensible horizon of a place,
and passing through the earth's center; -- called also
rational horizon or celestial horizon.
(c) (Naut.) The unbroken line separating sky and water, as
seen by an eye at a given elevation, no land being
visible.
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3. (Geol.) The epoch or time during which a deposit was made.
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The strata all over the earth, which were formed at
the same time, are said to belong to the same
geological horizon. --Le Conte.
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4. (Painting) The chief horizontal line in a picture of any
sort, which determines in the picture the height of the
eye of the spectator; in an extended landscape, the
representation of the natural horizon corresponds with
this line.
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5. The limit of a person's range of perception, capabilities,
or experience; as, children raised in the inner city have
limited horizons.
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6. [fig.] A boundary point or line, or a time point, beyond
which new knowledge or experiences may be found; as, more
powerful computers are just over the horizon.
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Apparent horizon. See under Apparent.
Artificial horizon, a level mirror, as the surface of
mercury in a shallow vessel, or a plane reflector adjusted
to the true level artificially; -- used chiefly with the
sextant for observing the double altitude of a celestial
body.
Celestial horizon. (Astron.) See def. 2, above.
Dip of the horizon (Astron.), the vertical angle between
the sensible horizon and a line to the visible horizon,
the latter always being below the former.
Rational horizon, and Sensible horizon. (Astron.) See
def. 2, above.
Visible horizon. See definitions 1 and 2, above.
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Visible \Vis"i*ble\, a. [L. visibilis, fr. videre, visum, to
see: cf. F. visible. See Vision.]
1. Perceivable by the eye; capable of being seen;
perceptible; in view; as, a visible star; the least spot
is visible on white paper.
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Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible
and invisible. --Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
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Virtue made visible in outward grace. --Young.
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2. Noticeable; apparent; open; conspicuous. --Shak.
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The factions at court were greater, or more visible,
than before. --Clarendon.
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Visible church (Theol.), the apparent church of Christ on
earth; the whole body of professed believers in Christ, as
contradistinguished from the invisible, or real, church,
consisting of sanctified persons.
Visible horizon. Same as Apparent horizon, under
Apparent.
[1913 Webster] -- Vis"i*ble*ness, n. -- Vis"i*bly,
adv.
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