latitude etymology

Etymology:

The word "latitude" comes from the Middle French "latitude," which in turn derives from the Latin "latitudo" meaning "breadth" or "width."

Meaning:

Latitude is a geographic coordinate that measures the angular distance of a point north or south of the Earth's equator, ranging from -90° at the South Pole to +90° at the North Pole. It is represented by the Greek letter "phi" (φ).

Origin:

The concept of latitude was first developed by ancient Greek astronomers, particularly Eratosthenes of Cyrene (c. 276-194 BC). Eratosthenes devised a system of latitude and longitude to map the Earth's surface. He measured the angle of elevation of the Sun at different locations and used trigonometry to calculate their latitude.

Usage:

Latitude is used in conjunction with longitude to determine the exact location of a point on the Earth. In navigation, latitude and longitude are essential for plotting courses and determining positions. Latitude is also used in meteorology to identify climate zones and track weather patterns.

Example:

The city of Paris has a latitude of approximately 48.86° N, indicating that it is 48.86 degrees north of the Earth's equator.

latitude relate terms

• dilatation

  Etymology Derived from the Latin word dilatare meaning to widen expand Meaning

• latitude

  Etymology The word latitude comes from the Middle French latitude which in turn der

• dilate

  Etymology Middle English dilaten from Old French dilater from Latin dilatāre from d

• latitude

  Etymology The word latitude comes from the Middle French latitude which in turn der

• delay

  Etymology The word delay comes from the Old French word delaier meaning to put off

• dilated

  Etymology Latin dilatāre meaning to spread out widen Indo European root dhelh

• latitudinarian

  Etymology Late Latin latitudinarius widener broadener From Medieval Latin latitu

• parallel

  Etymology The word parallel comes from the Greek word παράλληλος parállo

• precession

  Etymology and Meaning Precession comes from the Latin verb praecedere meaning to go be

• sextant

  Etymology Derived from Medieval Latin sextans sixth part ultimately from Latin sext

• forties

  Etymology The word forties originates from the Middle English forties which is deriv

• platitude

  Etymology Latin plātitūdō plātitudinis from plātus flat broad wide French

• reach

  Etymology The word reach comes from the Middle English word rechen which is of Old E

• tropic

  Etymology The word tropic comes from the Greek word tropos which means a turn Th

• range

  Etymology The word range originates from the Old French word reng which means row o