- Inclination compass
- Inclination In`cli*na"tion, n. [L. inclinatio: cf. F.
inclination.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The act of inclining, or state of being inclined; a
leaning; as, an inclination of the head.
[1913 Webster]
2. A direction or tendency from the true vertical or horizontal direction; as, the inclination of a column, or of a road bed. [1913 Webster]
3. A tendency towards another body or point. [1913 Webster]
4. (Geom.) The angle made by two lines or planes; as, the inclination of the plane of the earth's equator to the plane of the ecliptic is about 23[deg] 28'; the inclination of two rays of light. [1913 Webster]
5. A leaning or tendency of the mind, feelings, preferences, or will; propensity; a disposition more favorable to one thing than to another; favor; desire; love. [1913 Webster]
A mere inclination to a thing is not properly a willing of that thing. --South. [1913 Webster]
How dost thou find the inclination of the people? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
6. A person or thing loved or admired. --Sir W. Temple. [1913 Webster]
7. (Pharm.) Decantation, or tipping for pouring. [1913 Webster]
{Inclination compass}, an inclinometer.
{Inclination of an orbit} (Astron.), the angle which the orbit makes with the ecliptic.
{Inclination of the needle}. See {Dip of the needle}, under {Dip}.
Syn: Bent; tendency; proneness; bias; proclivity; propensity; prepossession; predilection; attachment; desire; affection; love. See {Bent}, and cf. {Disposition}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
