attitude

 
Pronunciation: /ˈatɪtjuːd/

noun

  • 1a settled way of thinking or feeling about something: he was questioned on his attitude to South Africa being competitive is an attitude of mind
  • a position of the body indicating a particular mental state: the boy was standing in an attitude of despair
  • Ballet a position in which one leg is lifted behind with the knee bent at right angles and turned out, and the corresponding arm is raised above the head, the other extended to the side.
  • 2 [mass noun] informal, chiefly North American truculent or uncooperative behaviour: I asked the waiter for a clean fork and all I got was attitude
  • individuality and self-confidence: she snapped her fingers with attitude
  • 3the orientation of an aircraft or spacecraft, relative to the direction of travel.

Derivatives

attitudinal

Pronunciation: /atɪˈtjuːdɪn(ə)l/
adjective

Origin:

late 17th century (denoting the placing or posture of a figure in art): from French, from Italian attitudine 'fitness, posture', from late Latin aptitudo, from aptus 'fit'