inclination (noun)
1: an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others; "he had an inclination to give up too easily"; "a tendency to be too strict" [syn: disposition, tendency]
2: (astronomy) the angle between the plane of the orbit and the plane of the ecliptic stated in degrees [syn: [[inclination of an orbit]]]
3: (geometry) the angle formed by the x-axis and a given line (measured counterclockwise from the positive half of the x-axis) [syn: angle of inclination]
4: (physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon [syn: dip, angle of dip, [[magnetic dip]], magnetic inclination]
5: that toward which you are inclined to feel a liking; "her inclination is for classical music" [ant: disinclination]
6: the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical; "the tower had a pronounced tilt"; "the ship developed a list to starboard"; "he walked with a heavy inclination to the right" [syn: tilt, list, lean, leaning]
7: a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect; "the alkaline inclination of the local waters"; "fabric with a tendency to shrink" [syn: tendency]
8: the act of inclining; bending forward; "an inclination of his head indicated his agreement" [syn: inclining]