View synonyms for declination

declination

[ dek-luh-ney-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a bending, sloping, or moving downward.
deterioration; decline.
a swerving or deviating, as from a standard.
a polite refusal.
Astronomy. the angular distance of a heavenly body from the celestial equator, measured on the great circle passing through the celestial pole and the body.
variation ( def 8 ).
the formal refusal by a nominee of a nomination to public office.

declination

/ ˌdɛklɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

astronomy the angular distance, esp in degrees, of a star, planet, etc, from the celestial equator measured north (positive) or south (negative) along the great circle passing through the celestial poles and the body δ Compareright ascension
See magnetic declination
a refusal, esp a courteous or formal one

declination

/ dĕk′lə-nā′shən /

On the celestial sphere, the position of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator . Declination is measured in degrees along a great circle drawn through the object being measured and the north and south celestial poles, with positive values north of the celestial equator and negative values south of it, so that the equator itself is 0° and the north and south celestial poles are +90° and −90° declination respectively.
See more at equatorial coordinate system
See magnetic declination

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Derived Forms

ˌdecliˈnational, adjective

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Other Words From

decli·nation·al adjective
predec·li·nation noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of declination¹

1350–1400; Middle English declinacioun < Old French declinacion < Latin dēclīnātiōn- (stem of dēclīnātiō ), equivalent to dēclīnāt ( us ), literally, turned aside (past participle of dēclīnāre; decline, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

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Example Sentences

The declination axis is short, and is supported by a massive goose-neck bolted to the upper end of the polar axis.

From Project Gutenberg

The declination slide is changed so little that no means for indicating its position are necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

Also the Artificiall and generall declination terminative of Nounes and Verbes.

From Project Gutenberg

Webb at once proceeded to take full magnetic declination, time and azimuth observations, Laseron recording for him.

From Project Gutenberg

Each day, now, Webb took an approximate magnetic dip and declination in the lee of the break-wind.

From Project Gutenberg

declinate declinatory

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