Definition: Elevation

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

From Old French elevation, from Latin elevatio, equal to elevate +‎ -ion.

Noun

elevation (countable and uncountable, plural elevations)

  1. The act of raising from a lower place, condition, or quality to a higher; -- said of material things, persons, the mind, the voice, etc.
    the elevation of grain; elevation to a throne; elevation to sainthood; elevation of mind, thoughts, or character
  2. Condition of being elevated; heightened; exaltation.
  3. That which is raised up or elevated; an elevated place or station
    A hill is an elevation of the ground.
  4. (astronomy) The distance of a celestial object above the horizon, or the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between it and the horizon; altitude.
    the elevation of the pole, or of a star.
  5. The measured vertical distance from the peak of a mountain or hill to its bordering lowlands.
  6. The movement of the axis of a piece in a vertical plane; also, the angle of elevation, that is, the angle between the axis of the piece and the line of sight; -- distinguished from direction.
  7. (architecture) A geometrical projection of a building, or other object, on a plane perpendicular to the horizon; orthographic projection on a vertical plane; -- called by the ancients the orthography.
  8. (Christianity, chiefly Roman Catholicism) The raising of the Host - representing Christ's body - in a mass or Holy Communion service.

Derived terms

  • angle of elevation

Related terms

Credits

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