Height or Hight1, n.
(hīt), n. [A-S. heáhtho, heáðho, hēhðho, hyhðho, from heáh, heáȝ, heá, high; Goth. hauhiþa, D. hoogte, Sw. höjd, Dan. höide, N. H. Ger. höhe, O. H. Ger. hōhi, Goth. hauhei.]
- The condition of being high; elevated position; eminence.
- The measure of the distance to which any thing rises above its foot, basis, or foundation; altitude. “A church that is in length one hundred feet, . . . and in height near fifty.” Bacon.
I know she is about my height. Shak.
- Degree of latitude either north or south. [Obs.] Guinea lieth to the north sea, in the same height as Peru to the south. Abbot.
- That which is elevated; an eminence; a summit; a hill or mountain; as, Dorchester Heights. “Alpine heights.” Dryden.
- Elevation in excellence of any kind, as in power, learning, arts; also, an advanced degree of social rank; pre-eminence or distinction in society; prominence.
He affects, past all men, height: All would in his power hold, all make his subjects. Chapman. 6. Utmost degree in extent or violence; as, the height of a fever, of passion, of madness, of folly, of happiness, of good-breeding; the height of a tempest. My grief was at the height before thou camest. Shak. 7. Progress toward eminence; grade; degree. Social duties are carried to greater heights, and enforced with stronger motives, by the principles of our religion. Addison. ☞ In the first mode of spelling (height), this word was formerly pronounced hāt.