Definition of "lofty"

On my left was a river, which came roaring down from a range of lofty mountains right before me to the south-east.

1862, George Borrow, chapter 98, in Wild Wales‎, archived from the original on 24 December 2011

When the night was half spent, I rose and walked on, till the day broke in all its beauty and the sun rose over the heads of the lofty hills and athwart the low gravelly plains.

1885, Richard F. Burton, “Night 551”, in The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night

A goal from Steven Caulker, just after the hour mark, was enough to hand victory to Malky Mackay's men, with Swansea falling some way short of the lofty standards they have set previously at this level.

3 November 2013, Delme Parfitt, “Cardiff City 1 - 0 Swansea City: Steven Caulker heads Bluebirds to South Wales derby win”, in Wales Online

that lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt to remember their grandfathers

1886, Frederic Harrison, The Choice of Books