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ALTITUDE
1. Space extended upward; height; the perpendicularelevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above other; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree.
2. The elevation of a point, or star, or another celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a verticalcircle 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. The perpendiculardistance from the base of a figure to the summit, or to the sideparallel 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.
6. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. "The man of law began to getintohis altitude." (Sir W. Scott) Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian intercepted between the southpoint on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See Meridian.
Origin: L. Altitudo, fr. Altus tall. Cf. Altar, Haughty, Enhance.
Source: Websters Vocabulary