[lat.i.tude] n [ME, fr. L latitudin-, latitudo, fr. latus wide; akin to OCS postilati to spread] (14c) 1 archaic: extent or distance from side to side: width
2: 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 archaic: scope, range b: the range of exposures within which a film or plate will produce a negative or positive of satisfactory quality
4: freedom of action or choice -- lat.i.tu.di.nal adj -- lat.i.tu.di.nal.ly adv