Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Altitude?

\Al"ti*tude\, n. [L. altitudo, fr. altus high. Cf. {Altar}, {Haughty}, {Enhance}.] 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. --Shak. 5. Height of rank or excellence; superiority. --Swift. 6. pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [Colloq.] --Richardson. The man of law began to get into his altitude. --Sir W. Scott. {Meridian altitude}, an arc of the meridian intercepted between the south point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See {Meridian}, 3.