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 ]

a. Of or pertaining to height; as, altitudinal measurements. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Lofty in doctrine, aims, etc. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Opposed to the constitution; unconstitutional. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. having ability to to suppress or relieve coughing; -- of chemical substances. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. 1. a medicament used to suppress or relieve coughing; an antitussive substance. Codeine is one such commonly used antitussive. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. [ F. aptitude, LL. aptitudo, fr. L. aptus. See Apt, and cf. Attitude. ] 1. A natural or acquired disposition or capacity for a particular purpose, or tendency to a particular action or effect; as, oil has an aptitude to burn. [ 1913 Webster ]

He seems to have had a peculiar aptitude for the management of irregular troops. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A general fitness or suitableness; adaptation. [ 1913 Webster ]

That sociable and helpful aptitude which God implanted between man and woman. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Readiness in learning; docility; aptness. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was a boy of remarkable aptitude. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Suitable; fit. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ It. attitudine, LL. aptitudo, fr. L. aptus suited, fitted: cf. F. attitude. Cf. Aptitude. ] 1. (Paint. & Sculp.) The posture, action, or disposition of a figure or a statue. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The posture or position of a person or an animal, or the manner in which the parts of his body are disposed; position assumed or studied to serve a purpose; as, a threatening attitude; an attitude of entreaty. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fig.: Position as indicating action, feeling, or mood; as, in times of trouble let a nation preserve a firm attitude; one's mental attitude in respect to religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The attitude of the country was rapidly changing. J. R. Green. [ 1913 Webster ]

To strike an attitude, to take an attitude for mere effect. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Attitude, Posture. Both of these words describe the visible disposition of the limbs. Posture relates to their position merely; attitude refers to their fitness for some specific object. The object of an attitude is to set forth exhibit some internal feeling; as, attitude of wonder, of admiration, of grief, etc. It is, therefore, essentially and designedly expressive. Its object is the same with that of gesture; viz., to hold forth and represent. Posture has no such design. If we speak of posture in prayer, or the posture of devotion, it is only the natural disposition of the limbs, without any intention to show forth or exhibit. [ 1913 Webster ]

'T is business of a painter in his choice of attitudes (posituræ) to foresee the effect and harmony of the lights and shadows. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Never to keep the body in the same posture half an hour at a time. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to attitude. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who attitudinizes; a posture maker. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A practicing of attitudes; posture making. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To assume affected attitudes; to strike an attitude; to pose. [ 1913 Webster ]

Maria, who is the most picturesque figure, was put to attitudinize at the harp. Hannah More. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who practices attitudes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. beatitudo: cf. F. béatitude. See Beatify. ] 1. Felicity of the highest kind; consummate bliss. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any one of the nine declarations (called the Beatitudes), made in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. v. 3-12), with regard to the blessedness of those who are distinguished by certain specified virtues. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (R. C. Ch.) Beatification. Milman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Blessedness; felicity; happiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. certitudo, fr. L. certus: cf. F. certitude. See Certain. ] Freedom from doubt; assurance; certainty. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Formed like cosine. See Cosine. ] The complement of the latitude, or the difference between any latitude and ninety degrees. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Constituencies A body of constituents, as the body of citizens or voters in a representative district. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. constituens, -entis, p. pr. See Constitute. ] 1. Serving to form, compose, or make up; elemental; component. [ 1913 Webster ]

Body, soul, and reason are the three parts necessarily constituent of a man. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the power of electing or appointing. [ 1913 Webster ]

A question of right arises between the constituent and representative body. Junius. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The person or thing which constitutes, determines, or constructs. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their first composure and origination require a higher and nobler constituent than chance. Sir M. Hale [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which constitutes or composes, as a part, or an essential part; a component; an element. [ 1913 Webster ]

We know how to bring these constituents together, and to cause them to form water. Tyndall. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One for whom another acts; especially, one who is represented by another in a legislative assembly; -- correlative to representative. [ 1913 Webster ]

The electors in the district of a representative in Congress, or in the legislature of a State, are termed his constituents. Abbot. [ 1913 Webster ]

To appeal from the representatives to the constituents. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) A person who appoints another to act for him as attorney in fact. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Constituted; p. pr. & vb. n. Constituting. ] [ L. constitutus, p. p. of constiture to constitute; con- + statuere to place, set, fr. status station, fr. stare to stand. See Stand. ] 1. To cause to stand; to establish; to enact. [ 1913 Webster ]

Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make up; to compose; to form. [ 1913 Webster ]

Truth and reason constitute that intellectual gold that defies destruction. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower. [ 1913 Webster ]

Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Constituted authorities, the officers of government, collectively, as of a nation, city, town, etc. Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An established law. [ Obs. ] T. Preston. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who constitutes or appoints. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. constitution, L. constitutio. ] 1. The act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The physical constitution of the sun. Sir J. Herschel. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the old world. Story. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament. [ 1913 Webster ]

He defended himself with . . . less passion than was expected from his constitution. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The fundamental, organic law or principles of government of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of affairs. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In England the constitution is unwritten, and may be modified from time to time by act of Parliament. In the United States a constitution cannot ordinarily be modified, exept through such processes as the constitution itself ordains. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian. [ 1913 Webster ]

The positive constitutions of our own churches. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then prefect of Rome, for the regulation of the conduct of advocates. George Long. [ 1913 Webster ]

Apostolic constitutions. See under Apostolic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A walk or other exercise taken for one's health or constitution. [ Colloq. ] Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

The men trudged diurnal constitutionals along the different roads. Compton Reade. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. constitutionnel. ] 1. Belonging to, or inherent in, the constitution, or in the structure of body or mind; as, a constitutional infirmity; constitutional ardor or dullness. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In accordance with, or authorized by, the constitution of a state or a society; as, constitutional reforms. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Regulated by, dependent on, or secured by, a constitution; as, constitutional government; constitutional rights. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Relating to a constitution, or establishment form of government; as, a constitutional risis. [ 1913 Webster ]

The anient constitutional traditions of the state. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. For the benefit or one's constitution or health; as, a constitutional walk. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Constitutional law, law that relates to the constitution, as a permanent system of political and juridical government, as distinguished from statutory and common law, which relate to matters subordinate to such constitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The theory, principles, or authority of constitutional government; attachment or adherence to a constitution or constitutional government. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who advocates a constitutional form of government; a constitutionalist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. -ties /plu>. [ Cf. F. constitutionalité. ] 1. The quality or state of being constitutional, or inherent in the natural frame. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being consistent with the constitution or frame of government, or of being authorized by its provisions. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Constitutionalities, bottomless cavilings and questionings about written laws. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In accordance with the constitution or natural disposition of the mind or body; naturally; as, he was constitutionally timid. [ 1913 Webster ]

The English were constitutionally humane. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In accordance with the constitution or fundamental law; legally; as, he was not constitutionally appointed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing would indue them to acknowledge that [ such ] an assembly . . . was constitutionally a Parliament. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who adheres to the constitution of the country. Bolingbroke. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Tending or assisting to constitute or compose; elemental; essential. [ 1913 Webster ]

An ingredient and constitutive part of every virtue. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having power to enact, establish, or create; instituting; determining. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a constitutive manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. correct or appropriate behavior.
Syn. -- propriety, properness. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. destituens, p. pr. of destituere. ] Deficient; wanting; as, a destituent condition. [ Obs. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. destitutus, p. p. of destituere to set away, leave alone, forsake; de + statuere to set. See Statute. ] 1. Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary, or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; -- often followed by of. [ 1913 Webster ]

In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Ps. cxli. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

Totally destitute of all shadow of influence. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not possessing the necessaries of life; in a condition of want; needy; without possessions or resources; very poor. [ 1913 Webster ]

They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented. Heb. xi. 37. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To leave destitute; to forsake; to abandon. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To forsake or destitute a plantation. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make destitute; to cause to be in want; to deprive; -- followed by of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Destituted of all honor and livings. Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To disappoint. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

When his expectation is destituted. Fotherby. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In destitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Destitution. [ R. ] Ash. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. destitutio a forsaking. ] The state of being deprived of anything; the state or condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources; deficiency; lack; extreme poverty; utter want; as, the inundation caused general destitution.

n. [ L. disertitud&unr_;. ] Eloquence. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of depriving of investiture. [ Obs. ] Ogilvie. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of stripping, or depriving; the state of being divested; the deprivation, or surrender, of possession of property, rights, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Entitle. ] To entitle. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. exactitude. ] The quality of being exact; exactness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. fortitudo, fr. fortis strong. See Fort. ] 1. Power to resist attack; strength; firmness. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The fortitude of the place is best known to you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That strength or firmness of mind which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency; passive courage; resolute endurance; firmness in confronting or bearing up against danger or enduring trouble. [ 1913 Webster ]

Extolling patience as the truest fortitude. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues. Locke.

Syn. -- Courage; resolution; resoluteness; endurance; bravery. See Courage, and Heroism. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having fortitude; courageous. [ R. ] Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. gratitude, LL. gratitudo, from gratus agreeable, grateful. See Grate, a. ] The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness. [ 1913 Webster ]

The debt immense of endless gratitude. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Meteorology) The latitudes from 30° to 35 ° north or south of the equator. They are subtropical latitudes having atmospheric high-pressure belts that encircle the Earth, where winds are light and weather is usually clear, hot and dry. According to legend, ships traveling to the New World often stagnated in this region and had to throw dead horses overboard to conserve water for the crew, or eat them to survive, hence the name horse latitudes. A horse latitude is created because warm, wet air near the equator rises, cools, and drops its moisture in heavy rains (creating tropical rainforest areas near the equator). By the time the air reaches the high altitudes, it is cold and dry and can not rise further, so it spreads out and moves toward the poles and near the 30° north and 30° south, it begins to sink toward the earth's surface., preventing moisture from reaching the area from elsewhere. The regions mark the normal locations of the global subtropical high pressure systems such as the Bermuda High, moving a few degrees north or south of their position as the sun moves in the sky with the seasons. Many of the worlds deserts are found at these latitudes. University of Michigan Eco-Explorers, 2001 [ PJC ]

n. [ In- + aptitude: cf. F. inaptitude. Cf. Ineptitude. ] Lack of aptitude. [ 1913 Webster ]