Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Altitude
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 tree2.
(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. Shakespeare
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.Webster 1828 Edition
Altitude
AL'TITUDE
,Noun.
1.
Space extended upward; height; the elevation of an object above its foundation; as, the altitude of a mountain, or column; or the elevation of an object or place above the surface on which we stand, or above the earth; as, the altitude of a cloud or a meteor; or the elevation of one object above another; as, of a bird above the top of a a tree.2.
The elevation of a point, a star, or other object above the horizon. This is true or apparent altitude; true, when taken from the rational or real horizon; apparent, when taken from the sensible, or apparent horizon.3.
Figuratively, high degree; superior excellence; highest point of excellence.He is proud to the altitude of his virtue.
The altitude of the eye, in perspective, is a right line let fall from the eye, perpendicular to the geometrical plane.
Meridian altitude is an arch of the meridian between the horizon and any star or point on the meridian.
Definition 2024
altitude
altitude
English
Noun
altitude (plural altitudes)
- The absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.
- 2013 June 7, David Simpson, “Fantasy of navigation”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 36:
- Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth.
- As the altitude increases, the temperature gets lower, so remember to bring warm clothes to the mountains.
-
- A vertical distance.
- (geometry) The distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the opposite side of the vertex.
- The perpendicular height of a triangle is known as its altitude.
- (astronomy) The angular distance of a heavenly body above our Earth's horizon.
- Height of rank or excellence; superiority.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Jonathan Swift to this entry?)
- (dated, in the plural) Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.
- Sir Walter Scott
- The man of law began to get into his altitudes.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Richardson to this entry?)
- Sir Walter Scott
- Highest point or degree.
- Shakespeare
- He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.
- Shakespeare
Derived terms
- high-altitude
- low-altitude
- medium-altitude
Translations
absolute height
|
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distance measured upwards
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distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the opposite side of the vertex
distance measured angularly of a heavenly body