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Webster 1913 Edition


Attitude

At′ti-tude

,
Noun.
[It.
attitudine
, LL.
aptitudo
, fr. L.
aptus
suited, fitted: cf. F.
attitude
. Cf.
Aptitude
.]
1.
(Paint. & Sculp.)
The posture, action, or disposition of a figure or a statue.
2.
The posture or position of a person or an animal, or the manner in which the parts of his body are disposed; position assumed or studied to serve a purpose;
as, a threatening
attitude
; an
attitude
of entreaty.
3.
Fig.: Position as indicating action, feeling, or mood;
as, in times of trouble let a nation preserve a firm
attitude
; one’s mental
attitude
in respect to religion.
The
attitude
of the country was rapidly changing.
J. R. Green.
To strike an attitude
,
to take an attitude for mere effect.
Syn.
Attitude
,
Posture
.
Both of these words describe the visible disposition of the limbs. Posture relates to their position merely; attitude refers to their fitness for some specific object. The object of an attitude is to set forth exhibit some internal feeling;
as,
attitude
of wonder, of admiration, of grief, etc.
It is, therefore, essentially and designedly expressive. Its object is the same with that of gesture; viz., to hold forth and represent. Posture has no such design. If we speak of posture in prayer, or the posture of devotion, it is only the natural disposition of the limbs, without any intention to show forth or exhibit.
'T is business of a painter in his choice of
attitudes
(
posituræ
) to foresee the effect and harmony of the lights and shadows.
Dryden.
Never to keep the body in the same
posture
half an hour at a time.
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition


Attitude

AT'TITUDE

,
Noun.
[L. actus,
ago.
1.
In painting and sculpture, the posture or action in which a figure or statue is placed; the gesture of a figure or statue; such a disposition of the parts as serves to express the action and sentiments of the person represented.
2.
Posture; position of things or persons; as, in times of trouble let the prince or a nation preserve a firm attitude.

Definition 2024


attitude

attitude

See also: Attitüde

English

Noun

attitude (countable and uncountable, plural attitudes)

  1. The position of the body or way of carrying oneself; posture.
    The ballet dancer walked with a graceful attitude.
  2. Disposition or state of mind.
    ... but had a lazy attitude to work.
  3. (uncountable, countable) A negative, irritating, or irritated attitude; posturing.
    Don't give me your attitude.
    You've got some attitude, girl!
  4. (aeronautics, nautical, engineering) The orientation of a vehicle or other object relative to the horizon, direction of motion, other objects, etc.
    The airliner had to land with a nose-up attitude after the incident.
    • 1982, Thomas Charles Gillmer, Bruce Johnson, Introduction to naval architecture, page 286:
      The stern planes are located well aft of the center of gravity of the submarine and their primary purpose is attitude (trim) control
    • 1997, Paul J. Ciolino, Grace Elting Castle, Advanced Forensic Civil Investigations, page 109:
      Scratches should be closely analyzed to determine the attitudes of the boats at the time of initial contact.
    • 1999, Smart Materials Structures of Systems, ISBN 8170239583, page 307:
      The main aim of the development of the smart antenna model is to stabilize attitude of the antenna which is mounted on a platform or host structure.
  5. (ballet) A position similar to arabesque, but with the raised leg bent at the knee.
    • 2007, Gayle Kassing, History of Dance: An Interactive Arts Approach, page 134,
      Blasis was a man of many accomplishments. He invented the ballet position of attitude and codified the ballet technique of that time, distinguishing three types of dancers: the serious, the demi-caractère, and the comic dancer.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

attitude (third-person singular simple present attitudes, present participle attituding, simple past and past participle attituded)

  1. To assume or to place in a particular position or orientation; to pose.
    • 1823, Felix M'Donogh, The Hermit Abroad, Volume 1, page 122,
      [] nymphs of quality, formed for the offices of love and of conversation, are attituded about her, each star set as it were in surrounding satellites of admirers; []
    • 1837, William E. Burton, The Gentleman's Magazine, Volume 1, page 123,
      Attituded like an inspired curling-tongs, leaning back heavily on his right leg, and throwing forward his left, his arm elevated to a level with his shoulder, the clenched fist grasping a brush that might have been available in []
    • 1971, American Astronautical Society, Advances in Astronautical Sciences, Volume 29, Part 2, page 395,
      The attituded control gyro package, electronics, APS gas supply, and the preentry electronics are mounted internally, and are distributed circumferentially at the major ring.
  2. To express an attitude through one's posture, bearing, tone of voice, etc.
    • 2002, Wayne Normis, The Last Street Fighter, page 33,
      He attituded his way over to me, got up close, and just stood there looking at me, trying to appear threatening.
    • 2008, Yvonne Müller, "The Absentee": an Interpretation - an Analysis of Maria Edgeworth's Novel, page 12,
      The typical characteristic attituded toward the English is coldness.
    • 2010, R. Scott, Nine Months and a Year Later, page 82,
      I was really tripping, 'cause this nigga had the nerve to be attituded up when he was the one always doing something he had no business doing.

Anagrams


French

Pronunciation

Noun

attitude f (plural attitudes)

  1. attitude, position