declination
pronunciation
How to pronounce declination in British English:
UK [ˌdeklɪ'neɪʃən]
How to pronounce declination in American English:
US [ˌdɛkləˈneʃən]
-
- Noun:
- a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state
- (astronomy) the angular distance to a point on a celestial object measured north or south from the celestial equator; expressed in degrees; used with right ascension to specify positions on the celestial sphere
- a downward slope or bend
- a polite refusal of an invitation
Word Origin
- declination (n.)
- late 14c. as a term in astronomy, from Old French declinacion (Modern French déclinaison), from Latin declinationem (nominative declinatio), noun of action from past participle stem of declinare (see decline (v.)). It took on various other senses 15c.-17c., most now obsolete.
Example
- 1. Meanwhile , fluctuations in local geology alter both the inclination and the declination .
- 2. The present era intensely summons the university innovation , but a phenomenon of declination .
- 3. Yesterday , we talked about magnetic declination .
- 4. The celestial equivalent is measured in degrees north or south from the celestial equator and is called the declination of the body .
- 5. At the latitude of the pemaquid point lighthouse , approximately 44 degrees north , all stars having a declination greater than 46 degrees ( stars at the top left of the photo ) would be circumpolar -- they never rise and set but are above the horizon throughout the year .