from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Inclination \In`cli*na"tion\, n. [L. inclinatio: cf. F.
inclination.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The act of inclining, or state of being inclined; a
leaning; as, an inclination of the head.
[1913 Webster]
2. A direction or tendency from the true vertical or
horizontal direction; as, the inclination of a column, or
of a road bed.
[1913 Webster]
3. A tendency towards another body or point.
[1913 Webster]
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[deg] 28'; the
inclination of two rays of light.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
A mere inclination to a thing is not properly a
willing of that thing. --South.
[1913 Webster]
How dost thou find the inclination of the people?
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
6. A person or thing loved or admired. --Sir W. Temple.
[1913 Webster]
7. (Pharm.) Decantation, or tipping for pouring.
[1913 Webster]
{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}.
[1913 Webster]