[al.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. L altitudo height, depth, fr. altus high, deep--more at old] (14c) 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 ~s of his anger" 3 a: vertical distance or extent b: position at a height c: an elevated region: eminence--usu. used in pl. syn see height -- al.ti.tu.di.nal adj -- al.ti.tu.di.nous adj