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.

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

Related forms:

al⋅ti⋅tu⋅di⋅nous [al-ti-tood-n-uh

s, -tyood-]

, adjective

Synonyms:
1. elevation. 1, 2. See height.

Antonyms:
2. depth.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

al·ti·tude (āl'tĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd')

The height of a thing above a reference level, especially above sea level or above the earth's surface. See Synonyms at elevation.
A high location or area.
Astronomy The angular distance of a celestial object above the horizon.
Mathematics The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex, parallel side, or parallel surface.
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.

Word Origin & History

altitude

c.1391, from L. altitudo (gen. altitudinis), from altus "high" (see old).

Search another word or see altitude on Thesaurus | Reference

About
·
Privacy Policy
·
Terms of Use
·
Careers
·
Advertise with Us
·
Link to Us
·
Contact Us

Partner Sites: