Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AT'TI-TUDE, n. [Fr. attitude, posture; Sp. actitud, from L. actus, ago. The Italian attitudine is posture and fitness; attitude and aptitude being united in the same word.]

1. In painting and sculpture, the posture or action in which a figure or statue is placed; the gesture of a figure or statue, such a disposition of the parts as serves to express the action and sentiments of the person represented. – Johnson. Encyc.
2. Posture; position of things or persons; as, in times of trouble let the prince or a nation preserve a firm attitude. – Washington's Farewell Address. Hamilton. Gov. Smith, N. H.