/ ˈlætɪtjuːd; NAmE -tuːd/ noun
1.
( abbr. lat. ) [ U ] the distance of a place north or south of the equator (= the line around the world dividing north and south) , measured in degrees
—compare longitude
2.
latitudes [ pl. ] a region of the world that is a particular distance from the equator :
the northern latitudes
3.
[ U ] ( formal ) freedom to choose what you do or the way that you do it
SYN liberty
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin latitudo breadth, from latus broad.