Mil. Obs. Also 6 alta. [a. Sp. alto in phr. alto hacer, an adaptation of Ger. halt machen to make a stop, f. halt hold-on, stop, stand. Soon changed to ALT (perh. after Fr. faire alte, also from Ger.) and HALT.] A halt.
1591. Garrard, Art of Warre, 168. When the Armie makes Alta to rest.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, 34. How to make their Alto or stand, and how to double their ranks. Ibid. How to plant his pike in the ground, at any stand or Alto.
1622. F. Markham, Decades War, V. iii. § 4. 171. To make stands (which some call Altoes or Hallts) … whereby the souldier may be refresht when he is weary with travell.
