artificial horizon
1
5.7
- noun
- /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃəl həˈraɪzən/
- Specialized
:
horizonte artificial
- It's moving the whole artificial horizon on the face of the the gyro.
Examples
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I want you to find the artificial horizon on the instrument panel.
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In a storm, the pilot relied on the artificial horizon to maintain level flight despite the lack of visibility.
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The instructor pointed to the artificial horizon, explaining how it helps pilots understand their aircraft's position relative to the ground.
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Before takeoff, the co-pilot checked the artificial horizon to ensure it was functioning correctly.
Synonyms
An instrument that shows a plane's tilt compared to the ground
An aircraft instrument that shows the plane's angle to the horizon using a spinning device
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'artificial' (man-made) and 'horizon' (where earth and sky meet) transparently suggest a simulated or man‑made horizon, so learners can infer a non‑natural horizon. However, the specific specialized sense — an aircraft gyroscopic instrument indicating orientation — is technical and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so prior exposure is needed for the precise meaning.
Etymology
Artificial horizon: The noun artificial horizon combines artificial ('not real') and horizon ('the line where the sky meets the earth'). In a plane it uses a spinning device to draw that horizon on a screen so pilots can see a clear line even in fog or at night. That's why it means 'a device that shows the plane's position when the real horizon is not visible'.