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Webster 1913 Edition


Inclination

Inˊcli-na′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
inclinatio
: cf. F.
inclination
.]
1.
The act of inclining, or state of being inclined; a leaning;
as, an
inclination
of the head
.
2.
A direction or tendency from the true vertical or horizontal direction;
as, the
inclination
of a column, or of a road bed
.
3.
A tendency towards another body or point.
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° 28´; the
inclination
of two rays of light.
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.
A mere
inclination
to a thing is not properly a willing of that thing.
South.
How dost thou find the
inclination
of the people?
Shakespeare
6.
A person or thing loved or admired.
Sir W. Temple.
7.
(Pharm.)
Decantation, or tipping for pouring.
Syn. – Bent; tendency; proneness; bias; proclivity; propensity; prepossession; predilection; attachment; desire; affection; love. See
Bent
, and cf.
Disposition
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Inclination

INCLINA'TION

,
Noun.
[L. inclinatio. See Incline.]
1.
A leaning; any deviation of a body or line from an upright position, or from a parallel line, towards another body; as the inclination of the head in bowing.
2.
In geometry, the angle made by two lines or planes that meet; as, the inclination of axis of the earth to the place of the ecliptic is 23 deg.28 feet.
3.
A leaning of the mind or will; propension or propensity; a disposition more favorable to one thing than to another. The prince has no inclination to peace. The bachelor has manifested no inclination to marry. Men have a natural inclination to pleasure.
A mere inclination to a thing is not properly a willing of that thing.
4.
Love; affection; regard; desire; with for. Some men have an inclination for music, others for painting.
5.
Disposition of mind.
6.
The dip of the magnetic needle, or its tendency to incline towards the earth; also, the angle made by the needle with the horizon.
7.
The act of decanting liquors by stooping or inclining the vessel.

Definition 2024


inclination

inclination

English

Noun

inclination (countable and uncountable, plural inclinations)

  1. A physical tilt or bend
    • The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.
  2. A slant or slope
    • The road up to the house had a steep inclination.
  3. A mental tendency
    • His inclination to drink escalated to alcoholism.
  4. (geometry) The angle of intersection of a reference plane
    The astronomer calculated the inclination of the equator or ecliptic of Earth and the orbital planes of each visible heavenly body.
    Artillery must take account of a weapon's precise inclination.
  5. (obsolete) A person or thing loved or admired.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Sir W. Temple to this entry?)

Derived terms

Synonyms

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Translations


French

Noun

inclination f (plural inclinations)

  1. inclination (all senses)