el·e·va·tion  ( ĕl ′ə-v āsh ən)
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n.1. a. The act or an instance of elevating: the slow elevation of body temperature. b. The condition of being elevated: her elevation among scholars. 2. a. The height to which something is elevated above a point of reference, especially mean sea level: The ridge rises to an elevation of 3,000 feet. b. The angular distance of an object above the observer's horizon. 3. An elevated place or position: The hill is the highest elevation around here. 4. Loftiness or dignity, as of thought or feeling: a passage noted for its elevation of style. 5. A scale drawing of the side, front, or rear of a structure. 6. a. The ability to achieve height in a jump, as in ballet. b. The degree of height reached when such a jump is executed.
Synonyms: elevation, altitude, height These nouns denote the distance of something above a point of reference such as the horizon: a city at an elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level; flying at an altitude of 1 mile; grew to a height of 6 feet. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
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