horizon
/həˈraɪzn/ (bre, ipa) · /həˈraɪzn/ (ame, ipa) · /hə-ˈrī-zᵊn/ (ame, mw)
horizon — noun
- horizonsingular
- horizonsplural
1. the distant boundary where the sky appears to rest on the ground or ocean, formi
the distant boundary where the sky appears to rest on the ground or ocean, forming the outer edge of what a person can see from a given viewpoint
Iris watched the sun sink below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
collocation: below the horizon for describing sun/moon movement
From the lighthouse tower, Kofi could see ships appearing on the distant horizon.
collocation: on the + distant horizon
The horizon grew hazy as thick fog rolled in across the fishing village of Keelung.
Sailors have relied on the horizon to tell distance and predict weather for centuries.
- skyline
refers to the outline of buildings or trees against the sky, not the natural meeting line of sky and earth
文法句型
the + horizon
on/above/below the horizon
用法筆記
Often preceded by 'the'. Commonly paired with prepositions such as 'on', 'below', 'above', 'beyond', and 'toward'.
常見錯誤
2. a distinct horizontal strip of earth that differs from the layers above and belo
a distinct horizontal strip of earth that differs from the layers above and below in colour, texture, or the fossils it contains
The dark organic horizon near the surface supports most of the plant roots in the forest.
domain: geology — used to describe a specific stratum
Marco examined the clay horizon beneath the topsoil and noted its reddish colour from iron deposits.
The B horizon contains minerals that rainwater has washed down from the upper layers above it.
Defne compared the soil horizons across three fields to see how farming changed the land.
文法句型
soil/rock + horizon
horizon + of + noun
用法筆記
Technical term in geology and soil science. Each horizon is labelled with a letter (O, A, B, C) that indicates its position and composition in a soil profile.
常見錯誤
3. a stage in the distant past that archaeologists identify from a particular set o
a stage in the distant past that archaeologists identify from a particular set of tools, pots, or building styles found together in one layer of the ground
The pottery fragments helped Kabir identify the Yangshao horizon during the dig in central China.
domain: archaeology — named cultural horizon
Artifacts from the Bell-Beaker horizon suggest that trade networks connected distant regions of Europe.
The excavation revealed a burial horizon with offerings carefully placed around each skeleton.
Asher compared pottery from early and late horizons to track changes in vessel design.
- phase
a shorter time division within a broader archaeological period; 'horizon' implies cultural markers spread across a wide area
- cultural layer
descriptive term; 'horizon' is the standard technical label
文法句型
the + proper noun + horizon
horizon + of + time period
用法筆記
Typically paired with a culture name or label (e.g. 'Yangshao horizon', 'Bell-Beaker horizon'). Unlike sense 2, this sense refers to a time period rather than a physical layer of earth.
4. the full range of what a person knows, understands, or has done — together with
the full range of what a person knows, understands, or has done — together with the areas beyond that they have not yet reached or explored
A year in Brazil helped Sumin broaden her horizons and see life differently.
collocation: broaden + possessive + horizons for gaining new experience
The conference opened up new horizons for William, introducing him to cutting-edge research in robotics.
collocation: new horizons for describing fresh possibilities
Camila felt that her career horizons had narrowed after years of doing the same routine tasks.
Reading philosophy opened up new horizons for Defne, leading her to study ethics at university.
- limitation
a factor that restricts one's horizons rather than the boundary itself
文法句型
broaden/expand + possessive + horizons
new horizons
limited horizons
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural form 'horizons' in this sense. Common verb partners include 'broaden', 'expand', 'widen', 'open up', and 'limit'.
常見錯誤
5. in astronomy, the imaginary circle around the sky that divides the half a person
in astronomy, the imaginary circle around the sky that divides the half a person can see from the half hidden below their feet, used as a reference for measuring where stars and planets appear
The navigator calculated the ship's position by measuring the angle of Polaris above the celestial horizon.
domain: astronomy — used with altitude measurement
Amihan learned to distinguish the true celestial horizon from the visible skyline when using a sextant.
The true horizon in astronomy is a perfect circle, unlike the uneven line we see naturally.
To find a star's altitude, measure its angle above the celestial horizon using a sextant.
- astronomical horizon
interchangeable technical term; 'celestial horizon' emphasises the sphere it belongs to
文法句型
the celestial horizon
astronomical + horizon
用法筆記
Technical term in astronomy and celestial navigation. Unlike the visual horizon (sense 1), the celestial horizon is an abstract mathematical circle that stays fixed regardless of landscape features.