LATITUDE

latitude

(noun) scope for freedom of e.g. action or thought; freedom from restriction

latitude

(noun) the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

latitude, line of latitude, parallel of latitude, parallel

(noun) an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator

latitude

(noun) freedom from normal restraints in conduct; “the new freedom in movies and novels”; “allowed his children considerable latitude in how they spent their money”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

latitude (countable and uncountable, plural latitudes)

(geography, astronomy) The angular distance north or south from a planet's equator, measured along the meridian of that particular point.

(geography) An imaginary line (in fact a circumference) around a planet running parallel to the planet's equator.

The relative freedom from restrictions; scope to do something.

(astronomy) The angular distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic.

(photography) The extent to which a light-sensitive material can be over- or underexposed and still achieve an acceptable result.

Extent or scope; e.g. breadth, width or amplitude.

Usage notes

• When used to refer to distances or imaginary lines around a planet, latitude is relative to the Earth's Equator unless another planet is specified.

Hyponyms

• ascending latitude

• geolatitude

• high latitude

• low latitude

Anagrams

• altitude

Source: Wiktionary

Lat"i*tude, n. Etym: [F. latitude, L. latitudo, fr. latus broad, wide, for older stlatus; perh. akin to E. strew.]

1. Extent from side to side, or distance sidewise from a given point or line; breadth; width. Provided the length do not exceed the latitude above one third part. Sir H. Wotton.

2. Room; space; freedom from confinement or restraint; hence, looseness; laxity; independence. In human actions there are no degrees and precise natural limits described, but a latitude is indulged. Jer. Taylor.

3. Extent or breadth of signification, application, etc.; extent of deviation from a standard, as truth, style, etc. No discreet man will believe Augustine's miracles, in the latitude of monkish relations. Fuller.

4. Extent; size; amplitude; scope. I pretend not to treat of them in their full latitude. Locke.

5. (Geog.)

Definition: Distance north or south of the equator, measured on a meridian.

6. (Astron.)

Definition: The angular distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic. Ascending latitude, Circle of latitude, Geographical latitude, etc. See under Ascending. Circle, etc.

– High latitude, that part of the earth's surface near either pole, esp. that part within either the arctic or the antarctic circle.

– Low latitude, that part of the earth's surface which is near the equator.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition