Meridian altitude

Meridian altitude
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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Meridian altitude — is an astronomical navigation method of calculating an observer s latitude. Contents 1 Principle 2 Methodology 3 See also 4 References …   Wikipedia

  • meridian altitude — noun 1. : the arc of the meridian intercepted between a celestial body at meridian transit and the south point of the horizon 2. : the altitude of a celestial body when it is on an observer s meridian * * * meridian altitude noun The arc of a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • meridian altitude — The altitude of a celestial body when the celestial meridian of the observer is either 000° or 180° …   Aviation dictionary

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Meridian — Me*rid i*an, a. [F. m[ e]ridien, L. meridianus pertaining to noon, fr. meridies noon, midday, for older medidies; medius mid, middle + dies day. See {Mid}, and {Diurnal}.] 1. Being at, or pertaining to, midday; belonging to, or passing through,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Meridian circle — Groombridge transit circle of 1806 The meridian circle, transit circle, or transit telescope is an instrument for observing the time of stars passing the meridian, at the same time measuring its angular distance from the zenith. The idea of… …   Wikipedia

  • Meridian — 1 Original name in latin Meridian Name in other language MEI, Meridian, meolidieon, mrydyan, mysysypy, Меридиан State code US Continent/City America/Chicago longitude 32.36431 latitude 88.70366 altitude 103 Population 41148 Date 2011 05 14 2… …   Cities with a population over 1000 database

  • Meridian (Idaho) — 43° 36′ 51″ N 116° 23′ 56″ W / 43.614167, 116.398889 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • meridian circle — Circle Cir cle (s[ e]r k l), n. [OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. kri kos, ki rkos, circle, ring. Cf. {Circus}, {Circum }.] [1913 Webster] 1. A plane figure, bounded by a single… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Meridian Hills — Original name in latin Meridian Hills Name in other language State code US Continent/City America/Indiana/Indianapolis longitude 39.89004 latitude 86.15721 altitude 246 Population 1616 Date 2011 05 14 …   Cities with a population over 1000 database

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