altitude
UK: ˈæltɪtjuːd | US: ˈæltɪtuːd
n. the height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level
n. a high position or elevated status (figurative)
The word "altitude" originates from the Latin altitudo, derived from altus (meaning "high"). The morpheme alt- preserves the core idea of elevation, while -itude (a suffix borrowed from Latin -itudo) forms abstract nouns denoting states or conditions. This structure reflects the word’s logical progression from physical height to metaphorical prominence.
The airplane reached an altitude of 30,000 feet.
Mountain climbers must acclimatize to high altitudes.
His intellectual altitude set him apart from his peers.
The satellite measures altitude using radar.
Low oxygen levels are common at extreme altitudes.