Ăl'ti-tūde, n.

(53), n. [Lat. altitudo; altus, high, and a common termination, denoting state, condition, or manner.]

1. Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above the ground, or above a given level; or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a cloud, or of a bird above the top of a tree. Gilpin.
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. Hutton.
3. Height of degree; highest point.

He is proud to the altitude of his virtue. Shak. 4. Elevation of spirits, especially by liquor. [Rare.] The man of law began to get into his altitudes. W. Scott. Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian between the horizon and any point, or the center of any object on the meridian.