Middle English Dictionary Entry
altitūde n.
Entry Info
| Forms | altitūde n. |
| Etymology | L altitūdō |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Astron. The elevation or angular height of a celestial body above the horizon; ~ meridian(al, the elevation of the sun at noon.
Associated quotations
- (c1386) Almanac 1386 [OD col.]50 : As towchyng þe altitudes of þe son..in oþer places fro Oxenforth..If he wyll have þe meridional altitude [etc.].
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.1] 76a : I wole clepe the heyȝte of eny thyng that is taken by thy rule the altitude, withowte mo wordes.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.13] 87b : The altitude of the sunne in myddes of the day..the altitude meridian.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.13] 88a : Altitude meridional.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.23] 90a : Perauenture the altitude of A [a fixed star] in the euenynge is 62 degrees of heiȝte.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.24] 90a : Tak eny sterre fixe..and considere his heiȝest altitude & his lowest altitude fro the orizonte.
2.
(a) Vertical extent; height (of an object), height as a dimension; (b) summit; fig. acme.
Associated quotations
a
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.811 : Her [horses'] sidis longe, her altitude abounde.
- (a1449) Lydg.PPs.102 (Trin-C R.3.20(1))81 : Þe hevens heghe altytude Passeþe þe eorþe in comparysoun.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2463 : Tourys ambulary..competent the brede hath altitude [*Vegetius(1): after here heythes þei hauen here brede].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.143 : [Mount Caucasus] is of so huge altitude [Trev.: so hiȝe].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.227 : A walle of stones havenge viij feete in brede and xij in altitude.
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)47b : Eche body..hath comensions three: Altitude, Latitude..profundite.
b
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)269/1 : O thou Altitude of Al gostly Ryches.. O þou luminarye of pure lyghtnes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.111 : Þer was a towre in the altitude [Trev.: top; L vertice] of the mownte of Syon for worshippe and defence.