Lat"i*tude (?), n. [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.) Distance north or south of the equator, measured on a
meridian.
6.
(Astron.) 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.
Hear it pronounced