Mus. [a. Pr. alt:—L. altum high.] High tone (of voice or instrument); spec. in the phr. In alt: in the octave above the treble stave beginning with G.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scotl., II. 627. Mony trumpet into sindrie tune, Sum into bas, and sum in alt abone.
1674. Playford, Skill of Mus., I. i. 3. Those above E la are called Notes in Alt.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills (1872), I. 52. In soaring Alts his grand ambition show.
a. 1794. Colman, Mus. Lady, I. (D.). Your ladyship’s absolutely in alt…. Yes, in alt: give me leave to tell your ladyship, that you have raised your voice a full octave higher.
1845. Carlyle, Cromwell (1871), IV. 60. Voice risen somewhat into Alt.
1864. Browning, Youth & Art, in Dram. Pers., 155. As I shook upon E in alt.
b. fig. In alt: in an exalted or excited frame of mind; of ‘high-flying’ views.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa, V. 145. The fair fugitive was all in alt.
1784. Europ. Mag., V. 425. I know you to be in alt, as to your religion.
