ALTITUDE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Altitude

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/ˈæltətˌud/ Listen

noun

Altitude n.

1.

Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree.

2.

(Astron.) The elevation of a point, or star, or other celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and the horizon. It is either true or apparent; true when measured from the rational or real horizon, apparent when from the sensible or apparent horizon.

3.

(Geom.) The perpendicular distance from the base of a figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base; as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram, frustum, etc.

4.

Height of degree; highest point or degree. "He is (proud) even to the altitude of his virtue."

5.

Height of rank or excellence; superiority.

6.

pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. (Colloq.) "The man of law began to get into his altitude."

Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian intercepted between the south point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See Meridian, 3.

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Etymology of 'Altitude'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Altitude" Quotes from Famous Books

... earth one sultry evening in the Brevoort, welcomed Kirk as a brother, as a rich brother. Even when his first impression, that he was to have the run of the house on Fifth Avenue and mix freely with touchable multi-millionaires, had been corrected, his altitude was still brotherly. He parted from Kirk with many solemn promises to present himself at the studio daily and teach him enough art to put him clear at the top of the profession. "Way above all these ...

— The Coming of Bill • P. G. Wodehouse

... according to species and locality; the largest varieties reaching an altitude of ten or twelve feet, in others not growing more than two or three feet from the ground. Botanists have enumerated between forty and fifty varieties of the tobacco plant who class them all among the narcotic ...

— Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce • E. R. Billings

... on his tongue to refuse Mr Sharnall's request, with the sympathetic but judicial firmness with which all high-minded persons refuse to lend. There is a tone of sad resolution particularly applicable to such occasions, which should convey to the borrower that only motives of great moral altitude constrain us for the moment to override an earnest desire to part with our money. If it had not been for considerations of the public weal, we would most readily have given him ten times as ...

— The Nebuly Coat • John Meade Falkner

... distance indicates the presence of a village somewhere around; but having plenty of bread on which to sup I once again determine upon studying astronomy behind a wheat-shock. It is a glorious moonlight night, but the altitude of the country hereabouts is not less than six thousand feet, and the chilliness of the atmosphere, already apparent, bodes ill for anything like a comfortable night; but I scarcely anticipate being disturbed by anything save atmospheric conditions. ...

— Around the World on a Bicycle V1 • Thomas Stevens

... outlook, however inadequate they seemed for the undertaking, they were to attempt what was enjoined. It lifted them to an altitude never before reached, and made them conscious of a power ...

— The American Missionary, Vol. 43, No. 7, July, 1889 • Various

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