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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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Science Dictionary
altitude   (āl'tĭ-td')  Pronunciation Key 
  1. The height of an object or structure above a reference level, usually above sea level or the Earth's surface.

  2. Astronomy The position of a celestial object above an observer's horizon, measured in degrees along a line between the horizon (0°) and the zenith (90°). Unlike declination and celestial latitude—the corresponding points in other celestial coordinate systems—the altitude of star or other celestial object is dependent on an observer's geographic location and changes steadily as the sky passes overhead due to the rotation of the Earth. See more at altazimuth coordinate system.

  3. Mathematics The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure, such as a triangle, to the opposite vertex, side, or surface.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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