All 5 Uses of
altitude
in
Moby Dick
- With the problem of the universe revolving in me, how could I—being left completely to myself at such a thought-engendering altitude—how could I but lightly hold my obligations to observe all whale-ships' standing orders, "Keep your weather eye open, and sing out every time."†
Chpt 34-36
- Second: To the native Indian of Peru, the continual sight of the snow-howdahed Andes conveys naught of dread, except, perhaps, in the mere fancying of the eternal frosted desolateness reigning at such vast altitudes, and the natural conceit of what a fearfulness it would be to lose oneself in such inhuman solitudes.†
Chpt 40-42
- And besides, when a man is elevated in that odd fashion, he has no proper foundation for his superior altitude.†
Chpt 52-54 *
- From their arrow-slit in the skull, the priests perceived me taking the altitude of the final rib, "How now!" they shouted; "Dar'st thou measure this our god!†
Chpt 100-102
- It looks like a real live leg, filed down to nothing but the core; he'll be standing on this to-morrow; he'll be taking altitudes on it.†
Chpt 106-108
Definition:
-
(altitude) elevation (height) -- typically above sea level or above the earth's surface
or:
(metaphorically) a desirable height