lat·i·tude / ˈlatəˌt(y)oōd/ • n. 1. the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, or of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator, usually expressed in degrees and minutes: at a latitude of 51° N lines of latitude. ∎  (latitudes) regions, esp. with reference to their temperature and distance from the equator: temperate latitudes northern latitudes. ∎  Astron. see celestial latitude.2. scope for freedom of action or thought: journalists have considerable latitude in criticizing public figures. ∎ Photog. the range of exposures for which an emulsion or printing paper will give acceptable contrast: a film with a latitude that is outstanding.DERIVATIVES: lat·i·tu·di·nal / ˌlatəˈt(y)oōdn-əl/ adj.lat·i·tu·di·nal·ly / ˌlatəˈt(y)oōdn-əlē/ adv.

latitude †breadth; angular distance on a meridian, etc. XIV; (arch.) extent, scope XVI; freedom from restriction XVII. — L. lātitūdō, f. lātus broad; see -TUDE. The geographical applications of L. latitudo and longitudo orig. referred to the ‘breadth’ and ‘length’ of the oblong map of the known world.
Hence latitudinal, latitudinarian XVII.

latitude Distance n or s of the Equator, measured at an angle from the Earth's centre. All lines of latitude are parallel to the Equator, which is the zero line of latitude.