declination
UK/.dekli'neiʃәn/US
GREC2
Definitions
n.
The angular distance of a celestial body north or south of the celestial equator
（天文）赤纬
n.
The angle between magnetic north and true north
磁偏角
n.
A formal or polite refusal
婉拒，谢绝
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedNoun of decline: de- (down) + clīnāre (lean) + -ation. The 'leaning away/down' produced its technical senses — how far a star or compass needle tilts off a reference line — plus the formal sense of declining (refusing) something.
Root clin still carries 13 more wordsExample Sentences
- 1.
The star's declination places it just north of the equator.
- 2.
Navigators must adjust for the compass's magnetic declination.