Definition of altitude

The word "altitude" originates from the Latin word "altitudo", which means "heighth" or "height". In modern Latin, the word was used to describe the height above sea level. The term was borrowed into Middle English from Old French "altitut," which was derived from the Latin "altitudo". The term "altitude" was first used in the 15th century to describe the height of an object or a place above sea level. Initially, it was used in the context of astronomy to describe the position of celestial bodies above the horizon. Over time, the term expanded to describe the height of aircraft, mountains, and other natural features. Today, the word "altitude" is widely used in various fields, including aviation, geography, and sports, to describe the height or elevation of an object or location above a reference point, usually sea level.