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View synonyms for artificial horizon

artificial horizon

[ ahr-tuh-fish-uhl huh-rahy-zuhn ]

noun

  1. a level, as a surface of mercury, used in determining the altitudes of stars.
  2. the bubble in a sextant or octant for aerial use.
  3. Also called flight in·di·ca·tor [flahyt, in-di-key-ter],. Aeronautics an instrument that indicates the banking and pitch of an aircraft with respect to the horizon.


artificial horizon

noun

  1. Also calledgyro horizon an aircraft instrument, using a gyroscope, that indicates the aircraft's attitude in relation to the horizontal
  2. astronomy a level reflecting surface, such as one of mercury, that measures the altitude of a celestial body as half the angle between the body and its reflection
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of artificial horizon1

First recorded in 1795–1805
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Example Sentences

I had with me an admirable Hadleys sextant, and an artificial horizon, and I corrected the mean refraction of the suns rays.

He fixed, by means of an artificial horizon, its latitude to be 341 09 minutes S nine miles to the southward of Botany Bay.

The sextant and artificial horizon, thermometer, and compasses were carried apart.

According to an observation with an artificial horizon on land.

I repeat, however, that I know not how far these methods may go towards obtaining an artificial horizon, for astronomical uses.

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