'Artificial horizon' definitions:

Definition of 'artificial horizon'

From: WordNet
noun
A navigational instrument based on a gyroscope; it artificially provides a simulated horizon for the pilot [syn: artificial horizon, gyro horizon, flight indicator]

Definition of 'Artificial horizon'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • And when the morning sun shall raise his car Above the border of this horizon. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • All the horizon round Invested with bright rays. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Geol.) 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. --Le Conte. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. The limit of a person's range of perception, capabilities, or experience; as, children raised in the inner city have limited horizons. [PJC]
  • 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. [PJC]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]