Altitudes are divided into accessible and inaccessible.
Accessible Altitude of an object, is that whose base you can have access to, i. e. measure the nearest distance between your station and the foot of the object on the ground.
Inaccessible Altitude of an object, is that when the foot or bottom of it cannot be approached, by reason of some impediment; such as water, or the like. The instruments chiefly used in measuring of altitudes, are the quadrant, theodolite, geometric quadrant, cross, or line of shadows, &c.
Altitude of the eye, in perspective, is a right line let fall from the eye, perpendicular to the geometrical plane.
Altitude of motion, a term used by some writers, to express the measure of any motion, computed according to the line of direction of the moving force.
AMAZON, one of those women who are fabled to have composed a nation of themselves, exclusive of males, and to have derived their name from their cutting off one of their breasts, that it might not hinder or impede the exercise of their arms. This term has often by modern writers been used to signify a bold daring woman, whom the delicacy of her sex does not hinder from engaging in the most hazardous attempts. The recent and former wars with France have furnished several instances of females who have undergone the fatigue of a campaign with alacrity, and run the hazards of a battle with the greatest intrepidity. Several cases occurred also in the American Revolution.
AMBIT, the compass or circuit of any work or place, as of a fortification or encampment, &c.
AMBITION, in a military sense, signifies a desire of greater posts, or honors. Every person in the army or navy, ought to have a spirit of emulation to arrive at the very summit of the profession by his personal merit.
AMBUSCADE, in military affairs, implies a body of men posted in some secret or concealed place, ’till they find an opportunity of falling upon the enemy by surprise; or, it is rather a snare set for the enemy, either to surprise him when marching without precaution; or by posting your force advantageously, and drawing him on by different stratagems, to attack him with superior means. An ambuscade is easily carried into execution in woods, buildings, and hollow places; but requires a more fertile imagination, and greater trouble, in a level country.
AMBUSH, a place of concealment for soldiers to surprise an enemy, by falling suddenly upon him.