n.
Pronunciation: ' a-t ə - ˌ tüd, - ˌ tyüd
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Italian attitudine, literally, aptitude, from Late Latin aptitudin-, aptitudo fitness ― more at APTITUDE
Date: 1668
1 : the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : POSTURE
2 : a position assumed for a specific purpose <a threatening attitude >
3 : a ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee
4 a : a mental position with regard to a fact or state <a helpful attitude > b : a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
5 : the position of an aircraft or spacecraft determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (as the horizon or a particular star)
6 : an organismic state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (as an object, concept, or situation)
7 a : a negative or hostile state of mind b : a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner