Attitude
Attitude ({not transcribed}) , noun
[Italian attitudine, Late Latin aptitudo, from Latin aptus suited, fitted: compare French attitude. Compare Aptitude.]
1.
(Painting & Sculpture) The posture, action, or disposition of a figure or a statue.
2.
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.
3.
Figuratively: Position as indicating action, feeling, or mood; as, in times of trouble let a nation preserve a firm attitude; one's mental attitude in respect to religion.
The attitude of the country was rapidly changing.
'T is business of a painter in his choice of attitudes (positura) to foresee the effect and harmony of the lights and shadows.
Never to keep the body in the same posture half an hour at a time.
Collocations (1)
To strike an attitude , to take an attitude for mere effect.