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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Height of degree; highest point or degree. [ 1913 Webster ] He is [ proud ] even to the altitude of his virtue. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Height of rank or excellence; superiority. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [ Colloq. ] Richardson. [ 1913 Webster ] The man of law began to get into his altitude. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]
Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian intercepted between the south point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See Meridian, 3. [ 1913 Webster ]
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