In`cli*na"tion (?), n.
[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?
Shak. 6. A person or thing loved or admired. Sir W. Temple.
7. (Pharm.) Decantation, or tipping for pouring.
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.
Hear it pronounced