n.
Pronunciation: ˌ de-kl ə - ' n ā -sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English declinacioun, from Middle French declination, from Latin declination-, declinatio angle of the heavens, turning aside
Date: 14th century
1 : angular distance north or south from the celestial equator measured along a great circle passing through the celestial poles
2 : a turning aside or swerving
3 : DETERIORATION <moral declination >
4 : a bending downward : INCLINATION
5 : a formal refusal
6 : the angle formed between a magnetic needle and the geographical meridian
– dec · li · na · tion · al \ -shn ə l, -sh ə -n ə l \ adjective