Height n. [Written also hight.]
1. The condition of being high; elevated position.
Behold the height of the stars, how high they are! --Job xxii. 12.
2. The distance to which anything rises above its foot, above that on which in stands, above the earth, or above the level of the sea; altitude; the measure upward from a surface, as the floor or the ground, of an animal, especially of a man; stature.
[Goliath's] height was six cubits and a span. --1 Sam. xvii. 4.
3. Degree of latitude either north or south. [Obs.]
Guinea lieth to the north sea, in the same height as Peru to the south. --Abp. Abbot.
4. That which is elevated; an eminence; a hill or mountain; as, Alpine heights.
5. Elevation in excellence of any kind, as in power, learning, arts; also, an advanced degree of social rank; preëminence or distinction in society; prominence.
Measure your mind's height by the shade it casts. --R. Browning.
All would in his power hold, all make his subjects. --Chapman.
6. Progress toward eminence; grade; degree.
Social duties are carried to greater heights, and enforced with stronger motives by the principles of our religion. --Addison.
7. Utmost degree in extent; extreme limit of energy or condition; as, the height of a fever, of passion, of madness, of folly; the height of a tempest.
My grief was at the height before thou camest. --Shak.
On height, aloud. [Obs.]
[He] spake these same words, all on hight. --Chaucer.
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Hight v. t. & i. [imp. Hight, Hot p. p. Hight, Hote (░), Hoten (░). See Hote.]
1. To be called or named. [Archaic & Poetic.]
Note: ☞ In the form hight, it is used in a passive sense as a present, meaning is called or named, also as a preterite, was called or named. This form has also been used as a past participle. See Hote.
The great poet of Italy,
That highte Dante. --Chaucer.
Bright was her hue, and Geraldine she hight. --Surrey.
Entered then into the church the Reverend Teacher.
Father he hight, and he was, in the parish. --Longfellow.
Childe Harold was he hight. --Byron.
2. To command; to direct; to impel. [Obs.]
But the sad steel seized not where it was hight
Upon the child, but somewhat short did fall. --Spenser.
3. To commit; to intrust. [Obs.]
Yet charge of them was to a porter hight. --Spenser.
4. To promise. [Obs.]
He had hold his day, as he had hight. --Chaucer.
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