n. 1 Geog. a the angular distance on a meridian north or south of the equator, expressed in degrees and minutes. b (usu. in pl.) regions or climes, esp. with reference to temperature (warm latitudes). 2 freedom from narrowness; liberality of interpretation. 3 tolerated variety of action or opinion (was allowed much latitude). 4 Astron. the angular distance of a celestial body or point from the ecliptic. high latitudes regions near the poles. low latitudes regions near the equator. latitudinal adj. latitudinally adv.
[ ME, = breadth, f. L latitudo -dinis f. latus broad ]