elevation

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɛlɪˈveɪʃən/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

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

   • Raising definition

     present participle of raise

   • Higher definition

     comparative form of high: more high
2. The condition of being or feeling elevated; heightened; exaltation.

   • Elevated definition

     simple past tense and past participle of elevate

   • Heightened definition

     simple past tense and past participle of heighten

   • Exaltation definition

     The act of exalting or raising high; also, the state of being exalted; elevation. (1 of 5 exaltation definitions)
3. That which is raised up or elevated; an elevated place or station.
   • 1996, Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer, page 362:

     Since our sins caused God's presence to withdraw above the "seven heavens," we pray that our prayers may rise through the seven layers and reach the Almighty in the eighth elevation.

   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

   • Astronomy definition

     The study of the physical universe beyond the Earth's atmosphere, including the process of mapping locations and properties of the matter and radiation in the universe. (1 of 2 astronomy definitions)
5. The measured vertical distance from the peak of a mountain or hill to its bordering lowlands.

   • Peak definition

     A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap. (1 of 8 peak definitions)

   • Lowland definition

     An area which is considered particularly low or lower than surrounding areas.
6. The angle which the gnomon makes with the substylar line.

   • Gnomon definition

     An object such as a pillar or a rod that is used to tell time by the shadow it casts when the sun shines on it, especially the pointer on a sundial. (1 of 5 gnomon definitions)

   • Substylar definition

     Relating to a substyle.
7. 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.

   • Line Of Sight definition

     A straight line along which an observer has a clear view. (1 of 2 line of sight definitions)

   • Direction definition

     A theoretical line (physically or mentally) followed from a point of origin or towards a destination. May be relative (e.g. up, left, outbound, dorsal), geographical (e.g. north), rotational (e.g. clockwise), or with respect to an object or location (e.g. toward Boston). (1 of 6 direction definitions)
8. (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.

   • Architecture definition

     The art and science of designing and managing the construction of buildings and other structures, particularly if they are well proportioned and decorated. (1 of 7 architecture definitions)

   • Geometrical definition

     Of, or relating to geometry; geometric. (1 of 3 geometrical definitions)

   • Projection definition

     Something which projects, protrudes, juts out, sticks out, or stands out. (1 of 14 projection definitions)

   • Orthographic definition

     Of a projection used in maps, architecture etc., in which the rays are parallel. (1 of 2 orthographic definitions)
9. (Christianity) The raising of the host—representing Christ’s body—in a mass or Holy Communion service.

   • Christianity definition

     An Abrahamic religion originating from the community of the followers of Jesus Christ.

   • Host definition

     One which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially. (1 of 8 host definitions)

Antonyms

• disgust
• demotion
• depression
• diminishment
• reduction

Related terms

• elevate
• elevator
• overelevation

Translations

See also

• fasl
• masl