altituden.

Brit.

/ˈaltᵻtjuːd/,

/ˈaltᵻtʃuːd/, U.S.

/ˈældəˌt(j)ud/,

/ˈælˌtɪˌt(j)ud/

Forms: Middle English– altitude, late Middle English–1500s altytude, 1500s altitud.

Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin altitūdin-, altitūdō.

Etymology: < classical Latin altitūdin-, altitūdō height, tallness, pitch, high position, level of water, height above the earth, eminence of position, upward direction, the vertical, high structure, highest point, (in geometry) dimension of height, depth, deepness, elevation of style, magnanimity, in post-classical Latin also (in astronomy) height above the horizon (from 12th cent. in British sources) < alti- alti- comb. form + -tūdō -tude suffix. Compare Middle French, French altitude grandeur (1450 with reference to God), elevation above lower ground or above sea level (a1498; subsequently from 1838), height more generally (a1506), and also Catalan altitud (14th cent.), Spanish altitud (15th cent.), Italian altitudine (14th cent.). With sense 7 compare earlier highness n. 2b and also the Romance forms cited at altezza n.

I. Height, elevation.

1. Astronomy. The height of an object in the sky expressed as its angular distance above the horizon.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > heavenly body > position of heavenly body > [noun] > altitude

altitudec1386

elevationc1400

height1556

c1386 Almanac (1812) 50 As towchyng þe altitudes of þe son..in oþer places fro Oxenforth..If he wyll have þe meridional altitude [etc.].

c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §1. 4 I wol clepe the heyhte of any thing that is taken by thy rewle, the altitude, with-owte mo wordes.

1594 T. Blundeville Exercises ii. f. 54^v 55. degrees, 5′6. and 2″1..is the Meridian altitude of the Sunne for that day.

1639 E. Chilmead tr. R. Hues Learned Treat. Globes iv. vi. 185 Observe the Meridian Altitude of the Sunne with the Crosse Staffe, Quadrant, or other like instrument.

1715 I. Newton Let. 22 Mar. in Corr. (1976) VI. 211 His Project for the Longitude is as impracticable as..to observe the Sun's meridional altitude to a second.

1765 Philos. Trans. 1764 (Royal Soc.) 54 371 I fixed the equal altitude instrument..against a strong post.

1809 W. Lambert Let. 4 Sept. in T. Jefferson Papers (2004) Retirement Ser. I. 492 The Moon's augmented semidiameter arising from a change of altitude, may thus be found.

1849 M. Somerville On Connexion Physical Sci. (ed. 8) xviii. 172 The apparent altitude of the heavenly bodies is always greater than their true altitude.

1909 Pop. Mech. Nov. 552 The sextant..is equally well adapted for measuring the altitude of celestial objects.

1978 B. Lovell In Centre of Immensities (1979) iii. 26 To measure the altitude of the Sun and planets to one sixth of a minute of arc.

2001 P. Moore 2002 Yearbk. Astron. i. 84 For observers in latitude 35° south, the changes in azimuth..and altitude of Mercury on successive evenings.

2. gen. Height or depth, as dimensions of space; the quality of being high or deep. Now rare except as merged with or coloured by sense 3.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > [noun]

altitudea1425

rise1663

a1425 Dialogue Reason & Adversity (Cambr.) (1968) 5 Samuel..was beden be þe lord he schulde not take to þe semblaunt ne to þe altitude of þe stature of Helyab.

tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iv. l. 811 (MED) Her [sc. horses'] sidis longe, her altitude abounde [= abundant].

1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) i. 9 This goodly pycture was in altytude Nyne fote and more.

1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 6 §2 Two mares..of the altitude or height of .xiii. handefulles at the least.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xx. 53 The altitude, Which thou hast perpendicularly fell.

1743 J. Wood Descr. Exchange of Bristol 18 The Coffee-Room was built..twelve Feet and six Inches high, which was all the Altitude the Basement Story of the Building would admit of.

1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature I. xxii. 309 The gravity of the fluid..will be always proportional to the altitude or depth.

1821 W. M. Craig Lect. Drawing ii. 63 It has neither form nor colour, nor altitude nor dimensions, and yet it is a flower.

1840 Phrenological Jrnl. 13 238 Look at the altitude above the orifice of the ear, and determine whether it be..high..or..low.

1901 W. O. Fuller What happened to Wigglesworth v. 57 Mr. Wigglesworth opened one of the rolls of paper,..and ‘taking a sight’ at the altitude of the room, cut off a strip that appeared to be the proper length.

a. Originally: height above the general level of the ground, loftiness, elevation. In later use usually: height above sea level, esp. of an aircraft or spacecraft (frequently as a controllable aspect of flight).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > height above the ground or sea level

heightc1290

altitudea1449

absolute height1729

elevation1856

upwardness1896

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > [noun] > above a certain level

heightc1290

highheadc1300

higha1398

altitudea1449

sideness?a1475

alturea1547

pitch1590

mounture1613

eminency1625

eminence1658

haut1686

elevation1732

a1449 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1911) i. 4 (MED) Þe hevens heghe altytude Passeþe þe eorþe in comparysoun.

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 143 (MED) [Mount Caucasus] is of so huge altitude [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. so hiȝe].

1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 146 Ane grit montane..of greit altitude.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 34 Theare was a toure..that in altitud euened Thee stars.

1651 J. F. tr. H. C. Agrippa Three Bks. Occult Philos. ii. xxvii. 272 From the crown of the head to the knurles of the gullet is the thirteenth part of the whole altitude.

1694 I. Newton Let. 24 Oct. in Corr. (1967) IV. 34 I am of opinion also that the refraction in all greater altitudes is varied a little by the different weight of the air discovered by the Baroscope.

1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. i. 8 Trees so lofty that I could make no Computation of their Altitude.

1794 G. Buchan-Hepburn Gen. View Agric. E. Lothian 80 This distemper is unknown in the higher district,..at an altitude of about 400 feet above the level of the sea.

1839 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 129 39 The fourth [terrace] occurs only in Glen Gluoy; it is twelve feet higher than the third. I shall refer to them..by their absolute altitude.

1840 Tait's Edinb. Mag. June 350/1 For half an hour or more, she continued to ascend [until]..she had reached an altitude much beyond what would generally be thought corresponding to the time.

1859 Friend 32 332/2 The columns, from their great altitude and deficient breadth, seem mere rodded shafts.

1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. ii. 43 The Himalaya chain..has a mean altitude of about 18,000 feet.

1909 Science 19 Feb. 281/2 The latest dirigible balloons..employing the propeller thrust and rudder surfaces to control the altitude.

1945 E. B. Ford Butterflies xiii. 288 The Mountain Ringlet, Erebia epiphron, cannot live in England at an altitude of less than 1800 feet.

1970 L. Deighton Bomber (1972) xvii. 261 For long seconds he gained no altitude but skimmed the grass with only inches clearing his tyres.

2006 R. Chandrasekaran Imperial Life in Emerald City (2007) viii. 186 The plane approached the airfield at a high altitude and then corkscrewed straight down.

†b. The top or summit of something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > high place or part

highnesseOE

highOE

altitude?a1475

haut1502

excelse1610

the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > highest point or top

headOE

copa1000

heightOE

topc1000

highestlOE

crest1382

coperounc1400

summita1425

summity?a1425

toppet1439

altitude?a1475

upperest1484

principala1533

pitcha1552

supremity1584

culm1587

period1595

spire1600

upward1608

cope1609

fastigium1641

vertex1641

culmen1646

supreme1652

tip-top1702

peak1785

helm1893

altaltissimo1975

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 111 Þer was a towre in the altitude [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. top; L. vertice] of the mownte of Syon.

1538 T. Elyot Dict. at Fastigium An altitude, or the top or height of any thynge.

1645 J. Taylor Oxf. Besiedged 5 Our Forces ascended to the top (or altitude) of Mount Hedinton.

c. Usually in plural. An elevated region or level; a height, now esp. a great height.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > [noun]

downlandeOE

downOE

highlandOE

high country1445

wold1472

high ground1489

upland1566

hill-country1582

Chiltern1627

downs country1791

altitude1853

upwold1875

top-land1877

1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres 130 (heading) Remedie and defence of a place, annoyed with diuerse altitudes.

1604 S. Rowlands Looke to It sig. B4^v Gallant that takes the Altitudes on hie, and like a Fawk'ners Hawke do hood your wife.

1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub iii. 78 [Every critic] should immediately deliver himself up to Ratsbane, or Hemp, or from some convenient Altitude.

1735 M. Clare Motion of Fluids 269 This Land, of different Altitudes, and..ribb'd with high Mountains, such as the Pyrenean, [etc.].

1766 S. Sharp Lett. from Italy 61 He tells me you shuddered at our passage over the Alps. I know your aversion to altitudes.

1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xv. 107 No mountain altitudes to furnish forth the increments of ice growth.

1882 W. R. Greg Misc. Ess. 1st Ser. v. 103 Those latitudes and altitudes where no crops will grow.

1912 Country Life in Amer. 1 May 81 (advt.) Enjoy from 6 to 8 hours brilliant sunshine daily, at altitudes to suit all constitutions.

1986 New Scientist 3 Apr. 22 The first opportunity to observe the changing winds and temperatures at these altitudes.

2006 Times Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) (Nexis) 29 Jan. d9 The big plane's inability to fly at altitudes above bumpy turbulence gave passengers a queasy ride.

d. As a mass noun: high altitude. Usually with preceding preposition as at, to.

ΚΠ

1905 Mines & Minerals May 505/1 (heading) Air compression at altitude.

1918 Aviation & Aeronaut. Engin. 1 Sept. 172/2 The..problem of maintaining power at altitude in spite of the decrease in the density of the air.

1933 P. F. M. Fellowes et al. First Over Everest! 263 To increase the Power at altitude, it is necessary to force the mixture into the cylinders at a pressure exceeding that of the atmosphere.

1960 Geogr. Jrnl. 126 5 The long, narrow, heavily corniced ridge..is not only an Alpine problem at altitude but to descend is equally difficult.

1991 Independent on Sunday 19 May 28/4 Sharpe was resting up last week after a trip to altitude in Boulder, Colorado.

2006 Focus Nov. 36/1 When hot, wet air from the plane's engine exhaust mixes with cold air at altitude, condensation forms.

4. Geometry. The height of a triangle or other plane figure, as measured by a perpendicular from the vertex to the base (or the base produced).

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > geometry > shape or figure > [noun] > element of > height

altitude1570

slant height1798

1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. vi. f. 154 Figures to haue one altitude and to be contayned within two equidistant lines, is all one.

1636 W. Bedwell tr. P. de la Ramée Via Regia ad Geometriam iv. 36 The Altitude is a perpendicular line falling from the toppe of the figure to the base.

1684 J. Wallis Cono-cuneus 2 This Cono-Cuneus is equal to half a Quadrantal Cylinder of the same Base and Altitude.

1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Triangles of equal Bases and Altitudes, are equal.

1769 B. Donne Epitome Nat. & Exper. Philos. i. 18 If a Triangle and Rectangle Parallelogram have equal Bases and Altitudes.

1810 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 6) I. 286 A triangle is equal to half a parallelogram of the same base and altitude.

1855 W. M. Gillespie Treat. Land-Surv. i. iv. 45 The content of these triangles can be at once obtained by multiplying their base by their altitude, and dividing by two.

1902 E. J. Townsend tr. D. Hilbert Found. Geom. 63 A transversal divides the given triangle into two others having the same altitude and having bases which lie in the same straight line.

2007 M. Ryan Geom. for Dummies (ed. 2) vii. 97 Every triangle has three altitudes, one for each side.

†5. The height of the column of mercury in a barometer. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > meteorological instruments > [noun] > barometer > height of mercury in

altitude1660

station1664

1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall 131 Sometimes the Quick-silver would..in the compass of the same day considerably vary its altitude.

1744 J. Colson tr. P. van Musschenbroek Elements Nat. Philos. I. xxv. 322 The mercury in the index ascends to the altitude of 26 Rhinland inches.

1829 London Encycl. I. 701 The mean altitude of the mercury at London for every day in several years, is about 29.87 inches.

1863 Country Gentleman 22 Jan. 66/1 The altitude of the mercury in the tube..may be found, in inches and hundredths part of an inch by this process.

II. In extended use.

a. High degree or eminence of any quality or attribute; high rank or position on a scale of power, attainment, etc.; an instance of this.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun]

highnesseOE

strengthOE

altitude?a1475

vehemence1535

vehemency1546

profundity1565

height1601

profoundness1612

depth1624

intensenessa1631

exquisiteness1650

eminence1651

intensivenessa1656

intensity1665

?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 269 O thou Altitude of Al gostly Ryches.

a1525 Bk. Chess 214 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I His excellend wittis altitud.

1596 T. Bell Suruey Popery iii. v. 279 Euen in the altitude of popedome.

1601 A. Dent Plaine Mans Path-way to Heauen 241 Oh the profoundnesse, and altitude of Gods mercy!

1659 S. Rutherford Infl. Life of Grace xii. 103 Nor are all Saints of the altitude of Elias.

1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub i. 33 He has exalted himself to a certain Degree of Altitude above them.

1782 J. Howie Judgment & Justice of God Exemplified Introd. p. vi All this..group attained not the same altitude of wickedness; but they all acted from the same principle.

1800 Monthly Mag. Sept. 138/2 The women of England have..reached an altitude of mental excellence, far above those of any other nation.

1862 Hesperian Feb. 581 California is rich in sons and daughters of genius, to whose mental altitude few in the old world have attained.

1920 Chambers's Jrnl. 8 May 363/2 [He] promised to reach the doubtful altitude of best-sellership without difficulty.

1979 Z. Ziglar See You at Top 292 It's your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.

2002 R. J. Mockler Multinational Strategic Managem. ii. 36 Ideas around the Company quickly began to stand or fall on their merits—rather than on the altitude of their originators.

b. In plural. Great heights of any quality or attribute, or of power, status, attainment, etc.

ΚΠ

1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar i. v. 93 S. Bernard who was as likely as any to have such altitudes of speculation.

1655 F. Osborne Advice to Son v. 127 A high..Zeale is taken..as a marke of Confidence, yet I cannot looke upon it with such affection; because scru'd up to these altitudes..by the wooden pinnes of wordly respects.

1737 Bayle's Dict. Hist. & Crit. (ed. 2) IV. 248 He vouchsafed to descend from the altitudes of his gravity, and give his thoughts an air of pleasantry.

1800 Monthly Mag. Feb. 393 Biron's fall..from the most splendid altitudes of fame and fortune, to the gloomy platform of the guillotine.

1840 Christian Reformer Dec. 785 No one ever reached to high altitudes of wisdom or of knowledge, who lived not much alone.

1850 E. B. Browning Poems (new ed.) I. 74 Rise, woman, rise To thy peculiar and best altitudes Of doing good and of enduring ill.

1914 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 16 July 8/5 [She] has attained the dizziest altitudes of..dishevelment. She has exalted untidiness into a fine art.

1990 Esquire May 166/3 Bochco has ascended to such altitudes that sometimes he seems to forget just how insulated he's become.

7. With possessive, used as a (mock) title: ‘Highness’ Cf. altesse n., altezza n.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [noun]

yea1225

my Lordc1300

seigniorc1330

squire1382

noblessec1390

lordship1394

grace1423

gentlenessc1425

magnificencec1425

noblenessc1425

greatness1473

worshipc1475

your mightinessa1500

excellency?1533

celsitude1535

altitude1543

Your Honour1551

sublimity1553

excellencea1592

captal1592

gentleperson1597

clemencya1600

gravity1618

grace1625

grandeur1632

eximiousness1648

professorship1656

prince1677

excellenceshipc1716

Graceship1804

seigniorship1823

valiancy1828

your seignorie1829

1543 Chron. J. Hardyng xxxiv. f. xxx Danes great multitude His seruise had, and made the lande to enclyne To his lord shyppe and to his altitude.

1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares i. sig. B4 He comes armed with his Altitudes letters.

1652 tr. M. de Cervantes Don-Quixote (new ed.) xxxiii. 197^v If your Altitude will not bestow the Government [of the island] on mee, with lesse was I borne.

1821 European Mag. Jan. 42/2 Upon the return of the messenger, presently followed his Altitude.

1958 L. S. de Camp Tower of Zanid in Sci. Fiction Stories Aug. 111/2 My lord Chindor..went to convey the news of these multiple disasters to his Altitude, the Dour Kir.

†8. In plural. An exalted or excited condition or mood; a superior or elevated state. Frequently in to be in (one's) altitudes Obsolete.Common in the 18th cent.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [noun] > manner or appearance

altitudes?a1625

grand air1672

?a1625 Lawes of Candy ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ggg4/2 This Woman's in the altitudes.

1683 J. Crowne City Politiques iv. 53 I affronted..his Court, and in my drunken Altitudes have endeavour'd to scour the whole Creation of Souls.

a1734 R. North Examen (1740) 258 If we would see him in his altitudes, we must go back to the House of Commons..there he cuts and slashes at another rate.

1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xiv. 152 From the nature of their conversation, there was no room for altitudes.

1782 S. Johnson Let. 20 Dec. (1994) IV. 99 While You were in all your altitudes, at the opera.

1803 Lett. Miss Riversdale III. 7 You are getting into your English altitudes.

1861 Littell's Living Age Apr.–June 490/1 Joseph Scaliger said of Scioppius..that when he got into his altitudes he was like a monkey getting up a pole.

Compounds

altitude chamber n. chiefly Aeronautics a chamber in which air pressure and temperature can be regulated to simulate conditions at different altitudes.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > construction and servicing aircraft or spacecraft > [noun] > testing equipment

stabilimeter1907

altitude chamber1918

spin tunnel1947

space chamber1959

1918 Hearings before Subcomm. House Comm. Appropriations 448 The problem of testing out engines in an altitude chamber, where we can vary the pressure and simulate conditions above, was suggested by Admiral Taylor.

1935 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 39 909 A full-scale engine (Curtis D. 12) working in an altitude chamber.

2004 A. Miah Genetically Modified Athletes ii. 35 By using an altitude chamber, it is hypothesised that a low-altitude athlete can diminish the advantage of a high-altitude athlete.

altitude control n. (a) a control for regulating the altitude of an aircraft or spacecraft; (b) a control for adjusting the fuel–air mixture in an internal combustion engine at different altitudes (rare).

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > controls and instruments > [noun] > controls > devices to control altitude, attitude, or motion

puff pipe1894

altitude control1910

pitch control1930

jet flap1955

roller1959

1910 Hub June 76/2 The third of the important controls of the aeroplane in the air is..the side-to-side steering gear...It needs a second motion of the hands, which are already busy with the altitude control.

1919 Gloss. Aeronaut. Terms (Royal Aeronaut. Soc.) 49 Altitude control, a device fitted to a carburettor or other part of induction system to obtain a correct mixture of the fuel gas at high levels.

1932 Flight 5 Feb. 111/2 Limitation of the movement of the altitude control in aircraft might well be discontinued.

1999 Daily Mail (Nexis) 18 Jan. 51 The one control peculiar to all helicopters is the collective pitch control, the primary altitude control.

2004 T. Slade Orig. Mercedes-Benz Coupes, Cabriolets, & V-8 Sedans 1960–1972 ii. 56/1 The W111 also featured a cold start system, an air heater, air temperature and altitude controls.

altitude map n. a map showing the various heights of geographical features above sea level.

ΚΠ

1856 Lit. Gaz. 11 Oct. 782/1 Captain Papen's Stratigraphical Altitude Map of Central Europe... The marshes of the Baltic coast are taken as the..zero level.

1920 R. W. Babson Central Amer. Journey x. 112 When Billy came to study the nature of the land on the altitude map, he admitted that it was not very favorable to cross-country travel in anything like a straight line.

2012 Guardian Unlimited (Nexis) 15 Apr. Scientists used 3D altitude maps obtained from satellites in 2000 and 2008 to track the changes in the glaciers.

altitude sickness n. [after French malaise d'altitude (1881 or earlier) or mal d'altitude (1882 or earlier); compare German Höhenkrankheit (1857 or earlier)] illness brought on by ascent to (or, rarely, residence at) a high altitude, typically characterized by headache, nausea, and difficulty in breathing, but sometimes progressing to life-threatening pulmonary or cerebral oedema, and resulting from the reduced partial pressure of oxygen in inspired air at such altitudes; cf. acute mountain sickness n. at acute adj. and n. Compounds 2 and mountain sickness n. at mountain n. and adj. Compounds 2a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > environmental disorders > [noun] > atmospheric pressure

puna1835

mountain sickness1848

soroche1878

caisson disease1883

the bends1894

altitude sickness1901

caisson sickness1911

decompression sickness1941

ebullism1956

1901 M. S. Gabriel tr. G. H. Roger Introd. Study Med. iii. 39 The aeronauts had taken with them receivers full of oxygen, but when about to make use of them, paralyzed by the cold and exhausted by altitude sickness, they were unable to reach their apparatus, and succumbed under the same conditions of aeration as those under which Paul Bert had survived.

1953 Times 12 June 6/7 The support parties..were weakened by the failure—due to altitude sickness—of three of the five Sherpas chosen for the task.

2006 Vertical Dec. 54/2 Less time spent on the mountain means less time exposed to avalanches, stonefall, storms and altitude sickness.

altitude table n. (a) a table enabling a person to ascertain the latitude of a ship, aircraft, etc., from measurements of the altitude of the sun or other celestial object; (b) a table enabling a person to ascertain his or her altitude from measurements of local air pressure and temperature (or vice versa); usually in plural.

ΚΠ

1850 Naut. Mag. & Naval Chron. Jan. 54 Ex-Meridian Altitude Tables, Mr. J. T. Towson, 1849.

1859 Naut. Mag. & Naval Chron. Apr. 223 In the altitude table the sun's true altitude is given at different hours from the meridian.

1876 G. J. Symons (title) Pocket altitude tables: short and simple rules for accurately determining altitudes barometrically.

1909 Proc. U.S. Naval Inst. 35 1012 The difference of altitude for 1° of declination found from the altitude table.

1942 R. M. Field & H. T. Stetson Map Reading & Avigation p. vii/2 Acquire facility in the use of the Air Almanac and Altitude Tables..in the determination of the position of a plane from observed altitudes of celestial objects.

2007 J. H. Karl Celestial Navigation GPS Age vi. 63 At the back of the almanac there is a special two-part altitude table for the moon that combines all three corrections.

altitude training n. (a) physical exercise carried out at moderately high altitude for at least several weeks, to achieve increased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and other physiological benefits of acclimatization to altitude, now esp. before a sporting event; (b) training given to a pilot in how to fly at high altitudes.

ΚΠ

1908 Progressive Med. 3 40 Our patient before his altitude training was much below the normal muscular efficiency, and unfit even for his routine work.

1927 Lit. Digest 9 July 52/2 A distinction must be made as to the sports for which this ‘altitude’ training would be fitted.

1941 Oakland (Calif.) Trib. 4 Aug. (heading) Altitude Training For Cadets.

1998 M. Maunder & P. Moore Sun in Eclipse 136 Pilots undergoing altitude training describe a shot of oxygen as being like ‘switching the light on’.

2006 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 26 July c12/2 Not everyone agrees about how effective altitude training really is, but many athletes and trainers are firm believers.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	altitude
释义	altituden. Brit. /ˈaltᵻtjuːd/, /ˈaltᵻtʃuːd/, U.S. /ˈældəˌt(j)ud/, /ˈælˌtɪˌt(j)ud/ Forms: Middle English– altitude, late Middle English–1500s altytude, 1500s altitud. Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin altitūdin-, altitūdō. Etymology: < classical Latin altitūdin-, altitūdō height, tallness, pitch, high position, level of water, height above the earth, eminence of position, upward direction, the vertical, high structure, highest point, (in geometry) dimension of height, depth, deepness, elevation of style, magnanimity, in post-classical Latin also (in astronomy) height above the horizon (from 12th cent. in British sources) < alti- alti- comb. form + -tūdō -tude suffix. Compare Middle French, French altitude grandeur (1450 with reference to God), elevation above lower ground or above sea level (a1498; subsequently from 1838), height more generally (a1506), and also Catalan altitud (14th cent.), Spanish altitud (15th cent.), Italian altitudine (14th cent.). With sense 7 compare earlier highness n. 2b and also the Romance forms cited at altezza n. I. Height, elevation. 1. Astronomy. The height of an object in the sky expressed as its angular distance above the horizon. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > heavenly body > position of heavenly body > [noun] > altitude altitudec1386 elevationc1400 height1556 c1386 Almanac (1812) 50 As towchyng þe altitudes of þe son..in oþer places fro Oxenforth..If he wyll have þe meridional altitude [etc.]. c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §1. 4 I wol clepe the heyhte of any thing that is taken by thy rewle, the altitude, with-owte mo wordes. 1594 T. Blundeville Exercises ii. f. 54^v 55. degrees, 5′6. and 2″1..is the Meridian altitude of the Sunne for that day. 1639 E. Chilmead tr. R. Hues Learned Treat. Globes iv. vi. 185 Observe the Meridian Altitude of the Sunne with the Crosse Staffe, Quadrant, or other like instrument. 1715 I. Newton Let. 22 Mar. in Corr. (1976) VI. 211 His Project for the Longitude is as impracticable as..to observe the Sun's meridional altitude to a second. 1765 Philos. Trans. 1764 (Royal Soc.) 54 371 I fixed the equal altitude instrument..against a strong post. 1809 W. Lambert Let. 4 Sept. in T. Jefferson Papers (2004) Retirement Ser. I. 492 The Moon's augmented semidiameter arising from a change of altitude, may thus be found. 1849 M. Somerville On Connexion Physical Sci. (ed. 8) xviii. 172 The apparent altitude of the heavenly bodies is always greater than their true altitude. 1909 Pop. Mech. Nov. 552 The sextant..is equally well adapted for measuring the altitude of celestial objects. 1978 B. Lovell In Centre of Immensities (1979) iii. 26 To measure the altitude of the Sun and planets to one sixth of a minute of arc. 2001 P. Moore 2002 Yearbk. Astron. i. 84 For observers in latitude 35° south, the changes in azimuth..and altitude of Mercury on successive evenings. 2. gen. Height or depth, as dimensions of space; the quality of being high or deep. Now rare except as merged with or coloured by sense 3. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > [noun] altitudea1425 rise1663 a1425 Dialogue Reason & Adversity (Cambr.) (1968) 5 Samuel..was beden be þe lord he schulde not take to þe semblaunt ne to þe altitude of þe stature of Helyab. tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iv. l. 811 (MED) Her [sc. horses'] sidis longe, her altitude abounde [= abundant]. 1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) i. 9 This goodly pycture was in altytude Nyne fote and more. 1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 6 §2 Two mares..of the altitude or height of .xiii. handefulles at the least. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xx. 53 The altitude, Which thou hast perpendicularly fell. View more context for this quotation 1743 J. Wood Descr. Exchange of Bristol 18 The Coffee-Room was built..twelve Feet and six Inches high, which was all the Altitude the Basement Story of the Building would admit of. 1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature I. xxii. 309 The gravity of the fluid..will be always proportional to the altitude or depth. 1821 W. M. Craig Lect. Drawing ii. 63 It has neither form nor colour, nor altitude nor dimensions, and yet it is a flower. 1840 Phrenological Jrnl. 13 238 Look at the altitude above the orifice of the ear, and determine whether it be..high..or..low. 1901 W. O. Fuller What happened to Wigglesworth v. 57 Mr. Wigglesworth opened one of the rolls of paper,..and ‘taking a sight’ at the altitude of the room, cut off a strip that appeared to be the proper length. 3. a. Originally: height above the general level of the ground, loftiness, elevation. In later use usually: height above sea level, esp. of an aircraft or spacecraft (frequently as a controllable aspect of flight). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > height above the ground or sea level heightc1290 altitudea1449 absolute height1729 elevation1856 upwardness1896 the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > [noun] > above a certain level heightc1290 highheadc1300 higha1398 altitudea1449 sideness?a1475 alturea1547 pitch1590 mounture1613 eminency1625 eminence1658 haut1686 elevation1732 a1449 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1911) i. 4 (MED) Þe hevens heghe altytude Passeþe þe eorþe in comparysoun. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 143 (MED) [Mount Caucasus] is of so huge altitude [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. so hiȝe]. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 146 Ane grit montane..of greit altitude. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 34 Theare was a toure..that in altitud euened Thee stars. 1651 J. F. tr. H. C. Agrippa Three Bks. Occult Philos. ii. xxvii. 272 From the crown of the head to the knurles of the gullet is the thirteenth part of the whole altitude. 1694 I. Newton Let. 24 Oct. in Corr. (1967) IV. 34 I am of opinion also that the refraction in all greater altitudes is varied a little by the different weight of the air discovered by the Baroscope. 1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. i. 8 Trees so lofty that I could make no Computation of their Altitude. 1794 G. Buchan-Hepburn Gen. View Agric. E. Lothian 80 This distemper is unknown in the higher district,..at an altitude of about 400 feet above the level of the sea. 1839 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 129 39 The fourth [terrace] occurs only in Glen Gluoy; it is twelve feet higher than the third. I shall refer to them..by their absolute altitude. 1840 Tait's Edinb. Mag. June 350/1 For half an hour or more, she continued to ascend [until]..she had reached an altitude much beyond what would generally be thought corresponding to the time. 1859 Friend 32 332/2 The columns, from their great altitude and deficient breadth, seem mere rodded shafts. 1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. ii. 43 The Himalaya chain..has a mean altitude of about 18,000 feet. 1909 Science 19 Feb. 281/2 The latest dirigible balloons..employing the propeller thrust and rudder surfaces to control the altitude. 1945 E. B. Ford Butterflies xiii. 288 The Mountain Ringlet, Erebia epiphron, cannot live in England at an altitude of less than 1800 feet. 1970 L. Deighton Bomber (1972) xvii. 261 For long seconds he gained no altitude but skimmed the grass with only inches clearing his tyres. 2006 R. Chandrasekaran Imperial Life in Emerald City (2007) viii. 186 The plane approached the airfield at a high altitude and then corkscrewed straight down. †b. The top or summit of something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > high place or part highnesseOE highOE altitude?a1475 haut1502 excelse1610 the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > highest point or top headOE copa1000 heightOE topc1000 highestlOE crest1382 coperounc1400 summita1425 summity?a1425 toppet1439 altitude?a1475 upperest1484 principala1533 pitcha1552 supremity1584 culm1587 period1595 spire1600 upward1608 cope1609 fastigium1641 vertex1641 culmen1646 supreme1652 tip-top1702 peak1785 helm1893 altaltissimo1975 ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 111 Þer was a towre in the altitude [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. top; L. vertice] of the mownte of Syon. 1538 T. Elyot Dict. at Fastigium An altitude, or the top or height of any thynge. 1645 J. Taylor Oxf. Besiedged 5 Our Forces ascended to the top (or altitude) of Mount Hedinton. c. Usually in plural. An elevated region or level; a height, now esp. a great height. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > [noun] downlandeOE downOE highlandOE high country1445 wold1472 high ground1489 upland1566 hill-country1582 Chiltern1627 downs country1791 altitude1853 upwold1875 top-land1877 1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres 130 (heading) Remedie and defence of a place, annoyed with diuerse altitudes. 1604 S. Rowlands Looke to It sig. B4^v Gallant that takes the Altitudes on hie, and like a Fawk'ners Hawke do hood your wife. 1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub iii. 78 [Every critic] should immediately deliver himself up to Ratsbane, or Hemp, or from some convenient Altitude. 1735 M. Clare Motion of Fluids 269 This Land, of different Altitudes, and..ribb'd with high Mountains, such as the Pyrenean, [etc.]. 1766 S. Sharp Lett. from Italy 61 He tells me you shuddered at our passage over the Alps. I know your aversion to altitudes. 1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xv. 107 No mountain altitudes to furnish forth the increments of ice growth. 1882 W. R. Greg Misc. Ess. 1st Ser. v. 103 Those latitudes and altitudes where no crops will grow. 1912 Country Life in Amer. 1 May 81 (advt.) Enjoy from 6 to 8 hours brilliant sunshine daily, at altitudes to suit all constitutions. 1986 New Scientist 3 Apr. 22 The first opportunity to observe the changing winds and temperatures at these altitudes. 2006 Times Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) (Nexis) 29 Jan. d9 The big plane's inability to fly at altitudes above bumpy turbulence gave passengers a queasy ride. d. As a mass noun: high altitude. Usually with preceding preposition as at, to. ΚΠ 1905 Mines & Minerals May 505/1 (heading) Air compression at altitude. 1918 Aviation & Aeronaut. Engin. 1 Sept. 172/2 The..problem of maintaining power at altitude in spite of the decrease in the density of the air. 1933 P. F. M. Fellowes et al. First Over Everest! 263 To increase the Power at altitude, it is necessary to force the mixture into the cylinders at a pressure exceeding that of the atmosphere. 1960 Geogr. Jrnl. 126 5 The long, narrow, heavily corniced ridge..is not only an Alpine problem at altitude but to descend is equally difficult. 1991 Independent on Sunday 19 May 28/4 Sharpe was resting up last week after a trip to altitude in Boulder, Colorado. 2006 Focus Nov. 36/1 When hot, wet air from the plane's engine exhaust mixes with cold air at altitude, condensation forms. 4. Geometry. The height of a triangle or other plane figure, as measured by a perpendicular from the vertex to the base (or the base produced). ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > geometry > shape or figure > [noun] > element of > height altitude1570 slant height1798 1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. vi. f. 154 Figures to haue one altitude and to be contayned within two equidistant lines, is all one. 1636 W. Bedwell tr. P. de la Ramée Via Regia ad Geometriam iv. 36 The Altitude is a perpendicular line falling from the toppe of the figure to the base. 1684 J. Wallis Cono-cuneus 2 This Cono-Cuneus is equal to half a Quadrantal Cylinder of the same Base and Altitude. 1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Triangles of equal Bases and Altitudes, are equal. 1769 B. Donne Epitome Nat. & Exper. Philos. i. 18 If a Triangle and Rectangle Parallelogram have equal Bases and Altitudes. 1810 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 6) I. 286 A triangle is equal to half a parallelogram of the same base and altitude. 1855 W. M. Gillespie Treat. Land-Surv. i. iv. 45 The content of these triangles can be at once obtained by multiplying their base by their altitude, and dividing by two. 1902 E. J. Townsend tr. D. Hilbert Found. Geom. 63 A transversal divides the given triangle into two others having the same altitude and having bases which lie in the same straight line. 2007 M. Ryan Geom. for Dummies (ed. 2) vii. 97 Every triangle has three altitudes, one for each side. †5. The height of the column of mercury in a barometer. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > meteorological instruments > [noun] > barometer > height of mercury in altitude1660 station1664 1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall 131 Sometimes the Quick-silver would..in the compass of the same day considerably vary its altitude. 1744 J. Colson tr. P. van Musschenbroek Elements Nat. Philos. I. xxv. 322 The mercury in the index ascends to the altitude of 26 Rhinland inches. 1829 London Encycl. I. 701 The mean altitude of the mercury at London for every day in several years, is about 29.87 inches. 1863 Country Gentleman 22 Jan. 66/1 The altitude of the mercury in the tube..may be found, in inches and hundredths part of an inch by this process. II. In extended use. 6. a. High degree or eminence of any quality or attribute; high rank or position on a scale of power, attainment, etc.; an instance of this. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun] highnesseOE strengthOE altitude?a1475 vehemence1535 vehemency1546 profundity1565 height1601 profoundness1612 depth1624 intensenessa1631 exquisiteness1650 eminence1651 intensivenessa1656 intensity1665 ?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 269 O thou Altitude of Al gostly Ryches. a1525 Bk. Chess 214 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I His excellend wittis altitud. 1596 T. Bell Suruey Popery iii. v. 279 Euen in the altitude of popedome. 1601 A. Dent Plaine Mans Path-way to Heauen 241 Oh the profoundnesse, and altitude of Gods mercy! 1659 S. Rutherford Infl. Life of Grace xii. 103 Nor are all Saints of the altitude of Elias. 1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub i. 33 He has exalted himself to a certain Degree of Altitude above them. 1782 J. Howie Judgment & Justice of God Exemplified Introd. p. vi All this..group attained not the same altitude of wickedness; but they all acted from the same principle. 1800 Monthly Mag. Sept. 138/2 The women of England have..reached an altitude of mental excellence, far above those of any other nation. 1862 Hesperian Feb. 581 California is rich in sons and daughters of genius, to whose mental altitude few in the old world have attained. 1920 Chambers's Jrnl. 8 May 363/2 [He] promised to reach the doubtful altitude of best-sellership without difficulty. 1979 Z. Ziglar See You at Top 292 It's your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude. 2002 R. J. Mockler Multinational Strategic Managem. ii. 36 Ideas around the Company quickly began to stand or fall on their merits—rather than on the altitude of their originators. b. In plural. Great heights of any quality or attribute, or of power, status, attainment, etc. ΚΠ 1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar i. v. 93 S. Bernard who was as likely as any to have such altitudes of speculation. 1655 F. Osborne Advice to Son v. 127 A high..Zeale is taken..as a marke of Confidence, yet I cannot looke upon it with such affection; because scru'd up to these altitudes..by the wooden pinnes of wordly respects. 1737 Bayle's Dict. Hist. & Crit. (ed. 2) IV. 248 He vouchsafed to descend from the altitudes of his gravity, and give his thoughts an air of pleasantry. 1800 Monthly Mag. Feb. 393 Biron's fall..from the most splendid altitudes of fame and fortune, to the gloomy platform of the guillotine. 1840 Christian Reformer Dec. 785 No one ever reached to high altitudes of wisdom or of knowledge, who lived not much alone. 1850 E. B. Browning Poems (new ed.) I. 74 Rise, woman, rise To thy peculiar and best altitudes Of doing good and of enduring ill. 1914 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 16 July 8/5 [She] has attained the dizziest altitudes of..dishevelment. She has exalted untidiness into a fine art. 1990 Esquire May 166/3 Bochco has ascended to such altitudes that sometimes he seems to forget just how insulated he's become. 7. With possessive, used as a (mock) title: ‘Highness’ Cf. altesse n., altezza n. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [noun] yea1225 my Lordc1300 seigniorc1330 squire1382 noblessec1390 lordship1394 grace1423 gentlenessc1425 magnificencec1425 noblenessc1425 greatness1473 worshipc1475 your mightinessa1500 excellency?1533 celsitude1535 altitude1543 Your Honour1551 sublimity1553 excellencea1592 captal1592 gentleperson1597 clemencya1600 gravity1618 grace1625 grandeur1632 eximiousness1648 professorship1656 prince1677 excellenceshipc1716 Graceship1804 seigniorship1823 valiancy1828 your seignorie1829 1543 Chron. J. Hardyng xxxiv. f. xxx Danes great multitude His seruise had, and made the lande to enclyne To his lord shyppe and to his altitude. 1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares i. sig. B4 He comes armed with his Altitudes letters. 1652 tr. M. de Cervantes Don-Quixote (new ed.) xxxiii. 197^v If your Altitude will not bestow the Government [of the island] on mee, with lesse was I borne. 1821 European Mag. Jan. 42/2 Upon the return of the messenger, presently followed his Altitude. 1958 L. S. de Camp Tower of Zanid in Sci. Fiction Stories Aug. 111/2 My lord Chindor..went to convey the news of these multiple disasters to his Altitude, the Dour Kir. †8. In plural. An exalted or excited condition or mood; a superior or elevated state. Frequently in to be in (one's) altitudes Obsolete.Common in the 18th cent. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [noun] > manner or appearance altitudes?a1625 grand air1672 ?a1625 Lawes of Candy ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ggg4/2 This Woman's in the altitudes. 1683 J. Crowne City Politiques iv. 53 I affronted..his Court, and in my drunken Altitudes have endeavour'd to scour the whole Creation of Souls. a1734 R. North Examen (1740) 258 If we would see him in his altitudes, we must go back to the House of Commons..there he cuts and slashes at another rate. 1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xiv. 152 From the nature of their conversation, there was no room for altitudes. 1782 S. Johnson Let. 20 Dec. (1994) IV. 99 While You were in all your altitudes, at the opera. 1803 Lett. Miss Riversdale III. 7 You are getting into your English altitudes. 1861 Littell's Living Age Apr.–June 490/1 Joseph Scaliger said of Scioppius..that when he got into his altitudes he was like a monkey getting up a pole. Compounds altitude chamber n. chiefly Aeronautics a chamber in which air pressure and temperature can be regulated to simulate conditions at different altitudes. ΘΚΠ society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > construction and servicing aircraft or spacecraft > [noun] > testing equipment stabilimeter1907 altitude chamber1918 spin tunnel1947 space chamber1959 1918 Hearings before Subcomm. House Comm. Appropriations 448 The problem of testing out engines in an altitude chamber, where we can vary the pressure and simulate conditions above, was suggested by Admiral Taylor. 1935 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 39 909 A full-scale engine (Curtis D. 12) working in an altitude chamber. 2004 A. Miah Genetically Modified Athletes ii. 35 By using an altitude chamber, it is hypothesised that a low-altitude athlete can diminish the advantage of a high-altitude athlete. altitude control n. (a) a control for regulating the altitude of an aircraft or spacecraft; (b) a control for adjusting the fuel–air mixture in an internal combustion engine at different altitudes (rare). ΘΚΠ society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > controls and instruments > [noun] > controls > devices to control altitude, attitude, or motion puff pipe1894 altitude control1910 pitch control1930 jet flap1955 roller1959 1910 Hub June 76/2 The third of the important controls of the aeroplane in the air is..the side-to-side steering gear...It needs a second motion of the hands, which are already busy with the altitude control. 1919 Gloss. Aeronaut. Terms (Royal Aeronaut. Soc.) 49 Altitude control, a device fitted to a carburettor or other part of induction system to obtain a correct mixture of the fuel gas at high levels. 1932 Flight 5 Feb. 111/2 Limitation of the movement of the altitude control in aircraft might well be discontinued. 1999 Daily Mail (Nexis) 18 Jan. 51 The one control peculiar to all helicopters is the collective pitch control, the primary altitude control. 2004 T. Slade Orig. Mercedes-Benz Coupes, Cabriolets, & V-8 Sedans 1960–1972 ii. 56/1 The W111 also featured a cold start system, an air heater, air temperature and altitude controls. altitude map n. a map showing the various heights of geographical features above sea level. ΚΠ 1856 Lit. Gaz. 11 Oct. 782/1 Captain Papen's Stratigraphical Altitude Map of Central Europe... The marshes of the Baltic coast are taken as the..zero level. 1920 R. W. Babson Central Amer. Journey x. 112 When Billy came to study the nature of the land on the altitude map, he admitted that it was not very favorable to cross-country travel in anything like a straight line. 2012 Guardian Unlimited (Nexis) 15 Apr. Scientists used 3D altitude maps obtained from satellites in 2000 and 2008 to track the changes in the glaciers. altitude sickness n. [after French malaise d'altitude (1881 or earlier) or mal d'altitude (1882 or earlier); compare German Höhenkrankheit (1857 or earlier)] illness brought on by ascent to (or, rarely, residence at) a high altitude, typically characterized by headache, nausea, and difficulty in breathing, but sometimes progressing to life-threatening pulmonary or cerebral oedema, and resulting from the reduced partial pressure of oxygen in inspired air at such altitudes; cf. acute mountain sickness n. at acute adj. and n. Compounds 2 and mountain sickness n. at mountain n. and adj. Compounds 2a. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > environmental disorders > [noun] > atmospheric pressure puna1835 mountain sickness1848 soroche1878 caisson disease1883 the bends1894 altitude sickness1901 caisson sickness1911 decompression sickness1941 ebullism1956 1901 M. S. Gabriel tr. G. H. Roger Introd. Study Med. iii. 39 The aeronauts had taken with them receivers full of oxygen, but when about to make use of them, paralyzed by the cold and exhausted by altitude sickness, they were unable to reach their apparatus, and succumbed under the same conditions of aeration as those under which Paul Bert had survived. 1953 Times 12 June 6/7 The support parties..were weakened by the failure—due to altitude sickness—of three of the five Sherpas chosen for the task. 2006 Vertical Dec. 54/2 Less time spent on the mountain means less time exposed to avalanches, stonefall, storms and altitude sickness. altitude table n. (a) a table enabling a person to ascertain the latitude of a ship, aircraft, etc., from measurements of the altitude of the sun or other celestial object; (b) a table enabling a person to ascertain his or her altitude from measurements of local air pressure and temperature (or vice versa); usually in plural. ΚΠ 1850 Naut. Mag. & Naval Chron. Jan. 54 Ex-Meridian Altitude Tables, Mr. J. T. Towson, 1849. 1859 Naut. Mag. & Naval Chron. Apr. 223 In the altitude table the sun's true altitude is given at different hours from the meridian. 1876 G. J. Symons (title) Pocket altitude tables: short and simple rules for accurately determining altitudes barometrically. 1909 Proc. U.S. Naval Inst. 35 1012 The difference of altitude for 1° of declination found from the altitude table. 1942 R. M. Field & H. T. Stetson Map Reading & Avigation p. vii/2 Acquire facility in the use of the Air Almanac and Altitude Tables..in the determination of the position of a plane from observed altitudes of celestial objects. 2007 J. H. Karl Celestial Navigation GPS Age vi. 63 At the back of the almanac there is a special two-part altitude table for the moon that combines all three corrections. altitude training n. (a) physical exercise carried out at moderately high altitude for at least several weeks, to achieve increased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and other physiological benefits of acclimatization to altitude, now esp. before a sporting event; (b) training given to a pilot in how to fly at high altitudes. ΚΠ 1908 Progressive Med. 3 40 Our patient before his altitude training was much below the normal muscular efficiency, and unfit even for his routine work. 1927 Lit. Digest 9 July 52/2 A distinction must be made as to the sports for which this ‘altitude’ training would be fitted. 1941 Oakland (Calif.) Trib. 4 Aug. (heading) Altitude Training For Cadets. 1998 M. Maunder & P. Moore Sun in Eclipse 136 Pilots undergoing altitude training describe a shot of oxygen as being like ‘switching the light on’. 2006 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 26 July c12/2 Not everyone agrees about how effective altitude training really is, but many athletes and trainers are firm believers. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.c1386
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