inclination of an orbit

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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[deg] 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]