altitude

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface

   The altitude gave me a headache.

2. 2
   noun

   The absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.

   As the altitude increases, the temperature gets lower, so remember to bring warm clothes to the mountains.

3. 3
   noun

   The line perpendicularly connecting a figure’s vertex, especially a triangle’s apex, to the side opposite to the vertex.

   All three altitudes of any triangle will always meet at point known as the orthocentre or orthocenter.

4. 4
   noun

   The length of such a line; the distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the side opposite to the vertex.

   The perpendicular height of a triangle is known as its altitude.

5. 5
   noun

   Height of rank or excellence; superiority.

   Whoever has an ambition to be heard in a crowd, must press, and squeeze, and thrust, and climb, with indefatigable pains, till he has exalted himself to a certain degree of altitude above them.

6. 6
   noun

   Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.

   The man of law began to get into his altitudes.

7. 7
   noun

   Highest point or degree.

   He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.

8. 8
   noun

   angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)

Etymology

From Middle English, borrowed from Latin altitūdō (“height”), from altus (“high”).