horizon

ho·ri·zon

noun \hə-ˈrī-z^ən\

the horizon : the line where the earth or sea seems to meet the sky

: the limit or range of a person's knowledge, understanding, or experience

: the limit of what is possible in a particular field or activity

Full Definition of HORIZON

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 horizons>

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 \-ˈrī-z^ən-əl\ adjective

Examples of HORIZON

1. We sailed toward the horizon.
2. The sun rose slowly over the eastern horizon.
3. These discoveries have opened up new horizons in the field of cancer research.

Origin of HORIZON

Middle English orizon, from Late Latin horizont-, horizon, from Greek horizont-, horizōn, from present participle of horizein to bound, define, from horos boundary; perhaps akin to Latin urvum curved part of a plow

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Archaeology Terms

Attic, Byzantine, Paleolithic, cairn, core, flint, neolithic, shard, stratum

Rhymes with HORIZON

bedizen

horizon

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In pedology, a distinct layer of soil forming part of the vertical sequence in a soil profile. Each horizon differs from the one above or below it in colour, chemical composition, texture, and structure. The horizons become differentiated during soil development because conditions vary with depth. There are generally three major layers within any given soil profile, and they are designated, from surface downward, as A, B, and C horizons. The A horizon generally contains more organic matter than the others; it is also the most weathered and leached. The B horizon tends to be a zone of accumulation, since all or part of the mineral matter removed from the A horizon in solution may be deposited in it. The C horizon consists chiefly of the materials from which the A and B layers were derived; called parent materials, these are only slightly altered, because they are in general not subjected to soil-forming processes.