\At"ti*tude\, n. [It. attitudine, LL. aptitudo, fr. L.
aptus suited, fitted: cf. F. attitude. Cf. {Aptitude}.]
1. (Paint. & Sculp.) The posture, action, or disposition of a
   figure or a statue.
2. The posture or position of a person or an animal, or the
   manner in which the parts of his body are disposed;
   position assumed or studied to serve a purpose; as, a
   threatening attitude; an attitude of entreaty.
3. Fig.: Position as indicating action, feeling, or mood; as,
   in times of trouble let a nation preserve a firm attitude;
   one's mental attitude in respect to religion.
         The attitude of the country was rapidly changing.
                                               --J. R. Green.
{To strike an attitude}, to take an attitude for mere effect.
Syn: {Attitude}, {Posture}.
Usage: Both of these words describe the visible disposition
       of the limbs. Posture relates to their position
       merely; attitude refers to their fitness for some
       specific object. The object of an attitude is to set
       forth exhibit some internal feeling; as, attitude of
       wonder, of admiration, of grief, etc. It is,
       therefore, essentially and designedly expressive. Its
       object is the same with that of gesture; viz., to hold
       forth and represent. Posture has no such design. If we
       speak of posture in prayer, or the posture of
       devotion, it is only the natural disposition of the
       limbs, without any intention to show forth or exhibit.
             'T is business of a painter in his choice of
             attitudes (positur[ae]) to foresee the effect
             and harmony of the lights and shadows. --Dryden.
             Never to keep the body in the same posture half
             an hour at a time.                --Bacon.