declination (redirected from declinational)

dec·li·na·tion  (dkl-nshn)

n.

1. A sloping or bending downward.

2. A falling off, especially from prosperity or vigor; a decline.

3. A deviation, as from a specific direction or standard.

4. A refusal to accept.

5. Magnetic declination.

6. Astronomy The angular distance to a point on a celestial object, measured north or south from the celestial equator.

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[Middle English declinacioun, from Old French declination, from Latin dclnti, dclntin-, from dclntus, past participle of dclnre, to turn away; see decline.]

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decli·nation·al adj.

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declination

Noun

1. Astron the angular distance of a star or planet north or south from the celestial equator

2. the angle made by a compass needle with the direction of the geographical north pole

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declination  (dkl-nshn)

1. On the celestial sphere, the position of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator. Declination is measured in degrees along a great circle drawn through the object being measured and the north and south celestial poles, with positive values north of the celestial equator and negative values south of it, so that the equator itself is 0° and the north and south celestial poles are +90° and -90° declination respectively. See more at equatorial coordinate system.

2. See magnetic declination.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	declination - a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state decline condition, status - a state at a particular time; "a condition (or state) of disrepair"; "the current status of the arms negotiations" disuse, neglect - the state of something that has been unused and neglected; "the house was in a terrible state of neglect" twilight - a condition of decline following successes; "in the twilight of the empire" wreck - something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation; "the house was a wreck when they bought it"; "thanks to that quack I am a human wreck"
	2.	declination - a downward slope or bend declivity, downslope, declension, decline, fall, descent downhill - the downward slope of a hill incline, slope, side - an elevated geological formation; "he climbed the steep slope"; "the house was built on the side of a mountain" steep - a steep place (as on a hill)
	3.	declination - (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial body north or to the south of the celestial equator; expressed in degrees; used with right ascension to specify positions on the celestial sphere celestial latitude, dec astronomy, uranology - the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole angular distance - the angular separation between two objects as perceived by an observer; "he recorded angular distances between the stars"
	4.	declination - a polite refusal of an invitation regrets acknowledgement, acknowledgment - a statement acknowledging something or someone; "she must have seen him but she gave no sign of acknowledgment"; "the preface contained an acknowledgment of those who had helped her" refusal - a message refusing to accept something that is offered

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The angular distance to a body on the celestial sphere measured north or south through 90 degrees from the celestial equator along the hour circle of the body. Comparable to latitude on the terrestrial sphere. See also magnetic declination; magnetic variation.