Main Entry:

lat·i·tude

Pronunciation:

\ˈla-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin latitudin-, latitudo, from latus wide; akin to Old Church Slavic postĭlati to spread

Date:

14th century

1archaic : extent or distance from side to side : width2: angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: as a: angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees b: angular distance of a celestial body from the ecliptic c: a region or locality as marked by its latitude 3 a: scope, range b: the range of exposures within which a film or plate will produce a negative or positive of satisfactory quality4: freedom of action or choice <students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses>

— lat·i·tu·di·nal \ˌla-tə-ˈtüd-nəl, -ˈtyüd-; -ˈtü-də-nəl, -ˈtyü-\ adjective

— lat·i·tu·di·nal·ly adverb

[latitude illustration]