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altitude

 - 3 dictionary results

al⋅ti⋅tude

[al-ti-tood, -tyood]
–noun
1. the height of anything above a given planetary reference plane, esp. above sea level on earth.
2. extent or distance upward; height.
3. Astronomy. the angular distance of a heavenly body above the horizon.
4. Geometry.
a. the perpendicular distance from the vertex of a figure to the side opposite the vertex.
b. the line through the vertex of a figure perpendicular to the base.
5. Usually, altitudes. a high place or region: mountain altitudes.
6. high or important position, rank, etc.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L altitūdō; see alti-, -tude


al⋅ti⋅tu⋅di⋅nous [al-ti-tood-n-uhs, -tyood-] , adjective


1. elevation. 1, 2. See height.


2. depth.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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al·ti·tude   (āl'tĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd')   
n.  
  1. The height of a thing above a reference level, especially above sea level or above the earth's surface. See Synonyms at elevation.

  2. A high location or area.

  3. Astronomy The angular distance of a celestial object above the horizon.

  4. Mathematics The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex, parallel side, or parallel surface.

  5. High position or rank.


[Middle English, from Latin altitūdō, from altus, high; see al-2 in Indo-European roots.]
al'ti·tu'di·nal (-tōōd'n-əl, -tyōōd'-) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

altitude 
c.1391, from L. altitudo (gen. altitudinis), from altus "high" (see old).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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