declination
[noun]
Synonyms: deterioration, decadence, declension, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, dégringolade, devolution, downfall, downgrade, failure, ebbing, waning

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

declination noun. [dɛklɪ'neɪʃ(ǝ)n] LME.
[Latin declinatio(n-), from declinat- pa. ppl stem of declinare DECLINE verb: see -ATION.]
1. Inclination from the vertical or horizontal position; downward bend or turn. LME.
b. Turning aside, (moral) deviation, falling away from a standard etc. M16-E19.

2. Sinking, descent; fig. deterioration, decline, decay. LME-L18.

3. Grammar. = DECLENSION 1. LME-M18.

4. a. Astronomy. Angular distance from the celestial equator (corresp. to terrestrial latitude). LME.
b. Surveying. The deviation of a given vertical plane from the prime vertical or from the meridian. L16-M18.
c. The angular deviation of a compass needle, orig. from the horizontal (= DIP noun 3), now from the true north and south line. Cf. VARIATION 8. M17.

5. Non-acceptance; polite refusal. Now US. E17.

Comb.:
declination axis the axis of an equatorial telescope which is at right angles to the polar axis and about which the telescope is turned in order to alter the declination of the object being viewed; declination circle a graduated circle on an equatorial telescope, on which declination is marked.

■ declinational adjective L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲