Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HEIGHT, or HIGHTH, n. [or HIGHT. hīte, or hīth; Sax. heahtho, heatho, hehthe, heotho, hethe, hihth, hyhthe, contracted or changed from heagthe, or higeth, or highthe; G. höhe, hoheit; D. hoogte, Sw. höghet, högd; Dan. höjde, höjhed. This word is formed from heah, hoh, hog, now high, and as the orthography is unsettled, I should prefer to form it regularly from the present English word high, and write it highth, or hight. The common popular pronunciation highth, or hithe, is most regular, but in the plural hights is most easily pronounced.]

1. Elevation above the ground; any indefinite distance above the earth. The eagle flies at a great hight, or highth.
2. The altitude of an object; the distance which any thing rises above its foot, basis or foundation; as, the hight or highth of a tower or steeple.
3. Elevation of a star or other celestial luminary above the horizon.
4. Degree of latitude either north or south. In this application, the distance from the equator is considered as elevation. Latitudes are higher as they approach the pole. Johnson. Guinea lieth to the north sea, in the same hight as Peru to the south. Abbot.
5. Distance of one thing above another.
6. An eminence; a summit; an elevated part of any thing.
7. A hill or mountain; any elevated ground; as, the hights of Dorchester.
8. Elevation of rank; station of dignity or office. By him that raised me to this careful hight. Shak.
9. Elevation in excellence of any kind, as in power, learning, arts.
10. Elevation in fame or reputation.
11. Utmost degree in extent or violence; as, the highth or hight: of a fever, of passion, of madness, of folly, of happiness, of good breeding. So we say, the hight of a tempest.
12. Utmost exertion. I shall now put you to the hight of your breeding. Shak.
13. Advance; degree; progress toward perfection or elevation; speaking comparatively. Social duties are carried to a greater hight – by the principles of our religion. Addison.