Inclination

01 n. The act of inclining, or state of being inclined; a leaning; as, an inclination of the head.

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.
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.(Geom.)
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.
7.
Decantation, or tipping for pouring.(Pharm.)

Phrases & compounds

Inclination compass — an inclinometer.

Inclination of an orbit — the angle which the orbit makes with the ecliptic.

Inclination of the needle — See Dip of the needle, under Dip.