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.