01 n. Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or …
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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.
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2.
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.(Astron.)
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3.
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.(Geom.)
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4.
Height of degree; highest point or degree.“He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.” — Shak.
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5.
Height of rank or excellence; superiority.
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6.
Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.[Colloq.]“The man of law began to get into his altitude.” — Sir W. Scott.
Phrases & compounds
Meridian altitude —
an arc of the meridian intercepted between the south point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See Meridian, 3.