latitude
n. C / Un. the distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. It can also mean having the freedom to choose what you do or how you do it.
n. the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator. In a figurative sense, refers to scope for freedom of action or thought.
The ship's position was at a latitude of 40 degrees north.
The manager gave her team a lot of latitude to decide how to finish the project.
While the company maintains strict safety protocols, it allows researchers significant latitude in choosing which experimental methodologies to pursue within their specific departments.
Borrowed into Middle English from Old French latitude, from Latin lātitūdō (“breadth, width, latitude”), from lātus (“broad, wide”), from older stlātus. Possibly related with lateral, though this is uncertain.
Uncountable when referring to freedom of action; countable when referring to specific geographic lines or regions.