Main Entry: al·ti·tude

Pronunciation: \ˈal-tə-ˌtüd also -ˌtyüd\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin altitudo height, depth, from altus high, deep — more at old

Date: 14th century

1 a : the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizon b : the vertical elevation of an object above a surface (as sea level or land) of a planet or natural satellite c (1) : a perpendicular line segment from a vertex of a geometric figure (as a triangle or a pyramid) to the opposite side or the opposite side extended or from a side or face to a parallel side or face or the side or face extended (2) : the length of an altitude
2 : a high level (as of quality or feeling) <the altitudes of his anger>
3 a : vertical distance or extent b : position at a height c : an elevated region : eminence —usually used in plural

synonyms see height

— al·ti·tu·di·nal \ˌal-tə-ˈtü-d^ən-əl, -ˈtyü-\ adjective

— al·ti·tu·di·nous \-d^ən-əs\ adjective