inclination

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° 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 ]