attitude
UK /ˈætɪt͡ʃuːd/ · US /ˈætɪˌtud/ noun, verb
Forms attitudes attituding attituded
- noun The position of the body or way of carrying oneself. “The ballet dancer walked with a graceful attitude.”
- noun (figurative) A disposition or state of mind. “Don't give me your negative attitude.”
- noun (Canada, US, UK, Philippines, informal) Unpleasant behavior. “He doesn't take attitude from anybody.”
- noun (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.”
- noun (ballet) A position similar to an arabesque, but with the raised leg bent at the knee.
- verb To assume or to place in a particular position or orientation; to pose.
- verb To express an attitude through one's posture, bearing, tone of voice, etc.
Synonyms
posture stance spirit outlook trim orientation mental attitude position
Etymology
From French attitude, from Italian attitudine (“attitude, aptness”), from Medieval Latin aptitūdō (“aptitude”) and actitūdō (“acting, posture”), from Latin aptō and actitō. Doublet of aptitude.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The posture, action, or disposition of a figure or a statue.
- noun 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.
Etymology [It. attitudine, LL. aptitudo, fr. L. aptus suited, fitted: cf. F. attitude. Cf. Aptitude.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “attitude”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details