n.
Pronunciation: h ə - ' r ī -z ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English orizon, from Late Latin horizont-, horizon, from Greek horizont-, horiz ō n, from present participle of horizein to bound, define, from horos boundary; perhaps akin to Latin urvum curved part of a plow
Date: 14th century
1 a : the apparent junction of earth and sky b : the great circle on the celestial sphere formed by the intersection of the celestial sphere with a plane tangent to the earth's surface at an observer's position ― see AZIMUTH illustration c : range of perception or experience d : something that might be attained <new horizon s >
2 a : the geological deposit of a particular time usually identified by distinctive fossils b : any of the reasonably distinct layers of soil or its underlying material in a vertical section of land c : a cultural area or level of development indicated by separated groups of artifacts
– ho · ri · zon · al \ - ' r ī -z ə n- ə l \ adjective