\Al"ti*tude\, n. [L. altitudo, fr. altus high. Cf.
{Altar}, {Haughty}, {Enhance}.]
1. Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation
   of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or
   above a given level, or of one object above another; as,
   the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of
   a tree.
2. (Astron.) The elevation of a point, or star, or other
   celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc
   of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and
   the horizon. It is either true or apparent; true when
   measured from the rational or real horizon, apparent when
   from the sensible or apparent horizon.
3. (Geom.) The perpendicular distance from the base of a
   figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base;
   as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram,
   frustum, etc.
4. Height of degree; highest point or degree.
         He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.
                                               --Shak.
5. Height of rank or excellence; superiority. --Swift.
6. pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [Colloq.]
   --Richardson.
         The man of law began to get into his altitude. --Sir
                                               W. Scott.
{Meridian altitude}, an arc of the meridian intercepted
   between the south point on the horizon and any point on
   the meridian. See {Meridian}, 3.