alt

alt · noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European*h₂el-
2. Proto-Indo-European*h₂eltós
3. Proto-Italic*altos
4. Latinaltus
5. English todayalt

From Latin altus (“high”). Doublet of old and alto.

alt · adjective, noun, verb²

Abbreviations.

alt · noun³

1. German · borrowed fromAlt
2. German · borrowed fromAlt
3. English todayalt

Borrowed from German Alt.

Alt · noun⁴

Abbreviation of alternate or alternative.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. Of a voice or instrument, high pitch; especially, the octave above the top line of the treble stave.
• from 18th c. A state of excitement, a heightened emotional condition.