Latitat
(||Lat"i*tat) n. [L., he lies hid.] (O. Eng. Law) A writ based upon the presumption that the person
summoned was hiding. Blackstone.
Latitation
(Lat`i*ta"tion) n. [L. latitatio.] A lying in concealment; hiding. [Obs.]
Latitude
(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.
Latitudinal
(Lat`i*tu"di*nal) a. Of or pertaining to latitude; in the direction of latitude.
Latitudinarian
(Lat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an) a. [Cf. F. latitudinaire.]
1. Not restrained; not confined by precise limits.
2. Indifferent to a strict application of any standard of belief or opinion; hence, deviating more or less
widely from such standard; lax in doctrine; as, latitudinarian divines; latitudinarian theology.
Latitudinarian sentiments upon religious subjects.
Allibone. 3. Lax in moral or religious principles.
Latitudinarian
(Lat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an), n.
1. One who is moderate in his notions, or not restrained by precise settled limits in opinion; one who
indulges freedom in thinking.
2. (Eng. Eccl. Hist.) A member of the Church of England, in the time of Charles II., who adopted more
liberal notions in respect to the authority, government, and doctrines of the church than generally prevailed.
They were called "men of latitude;" and upon this, men of narrow thoughts fastened upon them the name
of latitudinarians.
Bp. Burnet.
