inclination
nounCA, US, UK /ˌɪn.klɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ · AU /ˌɪn.kləˈnæɪ.ʃən/
Etymology From Middle English inclinacioun, inclinacyon, from Old French inclination and Latin inclīnātiō. Morphologically incline + -ation.
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.
- The gradients on the western part of the line are generally easy, although there is a rise at 1 in 55 before Manorbier, and a fall at the same inclination beyond that station.1959 October 23, H. A. Vallance, “The Pembroke & Tenby Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 668:
3
A tendency.
- His inclination to drink escalated to alcoholism.
- It should be remembered, however, that [Sir Thomas] Lawrence, who was now in demand, was charging from eighty to a hundred guineas for even his smallest portraits, a sum which would have been far beyond the pocket or inclination of the canny North countryman [George Stephenson], who had little use for empty honours.1960 February 23, H. C. P. Smail, “New portrait of George Stephenson”, in Railway Magazine, page 93:
4
Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences 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.
- c. 1672-1679, William Temple, Memoirs you make will be a Discovery of your Inclinations
- c. 1771, John Adams, speaking in a trial Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
- Synonyms
- incline, inclining, steepness, leaning, proclivity, propensity
- Derived terms
- counterinclination, disinclination, hyperinclination, inclinational, inclinationism, misinclination, preinclination
- Related terms
- inclinable, incline, inclined plane, inclinometer