Word Direct Answers

What does "latitude" mean?

Latitude: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.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.
  2. 3.Extent; size; amplitude; scope. I pretend not to treat of them in their full latitude. Locke.
  3. 4.(Geog.) Distance north or south of the equator, measured on a meridian.
  4. 5.(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.

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