inclination

Plural: inclinations

Noun

• an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
  • "he had an inclination to give up too easily"
• (astronomy) the angle between the plane of the orbit and the plane of the ecliptic stated in degrees
• (geometry) the angle formed by the x-axis and a given line (measured counterclockwise from the positive half of the x-axis)
• (physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon
• that toward which you are inclined to feel a liking
  • "her inclination is for classical music"
• the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical
  • "he walked with a heavy inclination to the right"
• a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect
  • "the alkaline inclination of the local waters"
• the act of inclining; bending forward
  • "an inclination of his head indicated his agreement"
• A physical tilt or bend.
• A slant or slope.
• A tendency.
• The angle of intersection of a reference plane
• A person or thing loved or admired.

Examples

• Artillery must take account of a weapon's precise inclination.
• His inclination to drink escalated to alcoholism.
• The astronomer calculated the inclination of the equator or ecliptic of Earth and the orbital planes of each visible heavenly body.
• The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.
• The road up to the house had a steep inclination.

Synonyms

angle of dip, angle of inclination, dip, disposition, inclination of an orbit, inclining, lean, leaning, list, magnetic dip, magnetic inclination, tendency, tilt, incline, proclivity, propensity, steepness

Antonyms

disinclination

Related Words

inclinable, incline, inclined plane, inclinometer