Word Study
horizon
CIDE DICTIONARY
horizon, n. [F., fr. L. horizon, fr. Gr. (sc. ) the bounding line, horizon, fr. to bound, fr. boundary, limit.].
- 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. [1913 Webster]"And when the morning sun shall raise his car
Above the border of this horizon." [1913 Webster]"All the horizon round
Invested with bright rays." [1913 Webster] - 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. [1913 Webster]
- The epoch or time during which a deposit was made. [1913 Webster]"The strata all over the earth, which were formed at the same time, are said to belong to the same geological horizon." [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- The limit of a person's range of perception, capabilities, or experience; as, children raised in the inner city have limited horizons. [PJC]
- 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. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
horizon, n.
1 a the line at which the earth and sky appear to meet. b (in full apparent or sensible or visible horizon) the line at which the earth and sky would appear to meet but for irregularities and obstructions; a circle where the earth's surface touches a cone whose vertex is at the observer's eye. c (in full celestial or rational or true horizon) a great circle of the celestial sphere, the plane of which passes through the centre of the earth and is parallel to that of the apparent horizon of a place.
2 limit of mental perception, experience, interest, etc.
3 a geological stratum or set of strata, or layer of soil, with particular characteristics.
4 Archaeol. the level at which a particular set of remains is found.
1 a the line at which the earth and sky appear to meet. b (in full apparent or sensible or visible horizon) the line at which the earth and sky would appear to meet but for irregularities and obstructions; a circle where the earth's surface touches a cone whose vertex is at the observer's eye. c (in full celestial or rational or true horizon) a great circle of the celestial sphere, the plane of which passes through the centre of the earth and is parallel to that of the apparent horizon of a place.
2 limit of mental perception, experience, interest, etc.
3 a geological stratum or set of strata, or layer of soil, with particular characteristics.
4 Archaeol. the level at which a particular set of remains is found.
Idiom
on the horizon (of an event) just imminent or becoming apparent.
Etymology
ME f. OF orizon(te) f. LL horizon -ontis f. Gk horizon (kuklos) limiting (circle)
THESAURUS
horizon
azimuth, background, clear sight, color vision, command, compass, cone vision, day vision, daylight vision, discernment, domination, eye, eye-mindedness, eyereach, eyeshot, eyesight, false horizon, farsight, farsightedness, field of view, field of vision, keen sight, ken, limit of vision, limits, line of sight, naked eye, night vision, offing, outlook, outlook over, perception, peripheral field, peripheral vision, perspective, perspicacity, perspicuity, photopia, power of sight, prospect, purview, quick sight, range, reach, remote distance, rod vision, scan, scope, scope of vision, scotopia, sea line, seeing, sense of sight, sensible horizon, sight, sightedness, sightliness, skyline, survey, sweep, the distance, twilight vision, unobstructed vision, vanishing point, view, visible horizon, vision, vista, visual acuity, visual field, visual senseROGET THESAURUS
horizon
Destiny
N destiny, future existence, post existence, hereafter, future state, next world, world to come, after life, futurity, everlasting life, everlasting death, life beyond the grave, world beyond the grave, prospect, impending, destined, about to be, happen, coming, in store, to come, going to happen, instant, at hand, near, near, close at hand, over hanging, hanging over one's head, imminent, brewing, preparing, forthcoming, int he wind, on the cards, in reserve, that will, is to be, in prospect, looming in the distance, horizon, future, unborn, in embryo, int he womb of time, futurity, pregnant, in time, the long run, all in good time, eventually, whatever may happen, as chance would have it.Distance
N distance, space, remoteness, farness, far- cry to, longinquity, elongation, offing, background, remote region, removedness, parallax, reach, span, stride, outpost, outskirt, horizon, aphelion, foreign parts, ultima Thule, ne plus ultra, antipodes, long range, giant's stride, dispersion, length, cosmic distance, light-years, distant, far off, far away, remote, telescopic, distal, wide of, stretching to, yon, yonder, ulterior, transmarine, transpontine, transatlantic, transalpine, tramontane, ultramontane, ultramundane, hyperborean, antipodean, inaccessible, out of the way, unapproached, unapproachable, incontiguous, far off, far away, afar, afar off, off, away, a long way off, a great way off, a good way off, wide away, aloof, wide of, clear of, out of the way, out of reach, abroad, yonder, farther, further, beyond, outre mer, over the border, far and wide, over the hills and far away, from pole to pole, to the uttermost parts, to the ends of the earth, out of hearing, nobody knows where, a perte de vue, out of the sphere of, wide of the mark, a far cry to, apart, asunder, wide apart, wide asunder, longo intervallo, at arm's length, distance lends enchantment, it's a long long way to Tipperary, out of sight, out of mind.Vision
N vision, sight, optics, eyesight, view, look, espial, glance, ken, coup d'oeil, glimpse, glint, peep, gaze, stare, leer, perlustration, contemplation, conspection, conspectuity, regard, survey, introspection, reconnaissance, speculation, watch, espionage, espionnage, autopsy, ocular inspection, ocular demonstration, sight-seeing, point of view, gazebo, loophole, belvedere, watchtower, field of view, theater, amphitheater, arena, vista, horizon, commanding view, bird's eye view, periscope, visual organ, organ of vision, eye, naked eye, unassisted eye, retina, pupil, iris, cornea, white, optics, orbs, saucer eyes, goggle eyes, gooseberry eyes, short sight, clear sight, sharp sight, quick sight, eagle sight, piercing sight, penetrating sight, clear glance, sharp glance, quick glance, eagle glance, piercing glance, penetrating glance, clear eye, sharp eye, quick eye, eagle eye, piercing eye, penetrating eye, perspicacity, discernment, catopsis, eagle, hawk, cat, lynx, Argus, evil eye, basilisk, cockatrice, seeing, visual, ocular, optic, optical, ophthalmic, clear-eyesighted, eagle-eyed, hawk-eyed, lynx-eyed, keen- eyed, Argus-eyed, visible, visibly, in sight of, with one's eyes open at sight, at first sight, at a glance, at the first blush, prima facie, Int, look!, the scales falling from one's eyes, an eye like Mars to threaten or command, her eyes are homes of silent prayer, looking before and after, thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes.Expectation
N expectation, expectance, expectancy, anticipation, reckoning, calculation, foresight, contemplation, prospection, lookout, prospect, perspective, horizon, vista, destiny, suspense, waiting, abeyance, curiosity, anxious expectation, ardent expectation, eager expectation, breathless expectation, sanguine expectation, torment of Tantalus, hope, trust, auspices, assurance, confidence, presumption, reliance, expectant, expecting, in expectation, on the watch, open-eyed, open-mouthed, in wide-eyed anticipation, agape, gaping, all agog, on tenterhooks, on tiptoe, on the tiptoe of expectation, aux aguets, ready, curious, looking forward to, expected, long expected, foreseen, in prospect, prospective, in one's eye, in one's view, in the horizon, on the horizon, just over the horizon, just around the corner, around the corner, impending, on the watch, with breathless expectation, with bated breath, with rapt anticipation, arrectis auribus, we shall see, nous verrons, expectation whirls me round, the light at the end of the tunnel.For further exploring for "horizon" in Webster Dictionary Online