meridian altitude

1 definition found

meridian altitude - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Altitude \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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Height of degree; highest point or degree.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.
                                                    --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. Height of rank or excellence; superiority. --Swift.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [Colloq.]
        --Richardson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The man of law began to get into his altitude. --Sir
                                                    W. Scott.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian intercepted
        between the south point on the horizon and any point on
        the meridian. See Meridian, 3.
        [1913 Webster]