latitude

Definition

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

Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Old French latitude, from Latin lātitūdō (“breadth, width, latitude”), from lātus (“broad, wide”), from older stlātus. Possibly related with lateral, though this is uncertain.

Example Sentences

• "The oat is hardier than wheat, and ripens in higher latitudes."
• "Far from the center of Shang civilization, Wu-ch'eng is located well south of the Yangtze at approximately the same latitude as Ch'ang-sha in the west and Wen-chou in the east."
• "His parents gave him a great deal of latitude."

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