declination

• Nom désignant un refus poli ou un déclin d'une invitation, une pente descendante ou une courbure vers le bas, une détérioration progressive, ou en astronomie, la distance angulaire d'un corps céleste au nord ou au sud de l'équateur céleste.

A noun referring to a polite refusal of an invitation, or a downward slope or bend, or a gradual falling off from a better state, or in astronomy, the angular distance of a celestial body north or south of the celestial equator.

1. Deterioration or declineC1formal

   A condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state.

   Déclin, détérioration

   • The declination of the Roman Empire took centuries.
   • There has been a noticeable declination in the quality of the product.
   • The declination of his health worried his family.

   Synonymesdecaydeclinedegenerationdegradationdeteriorationworsening

   Antonymesadvancementameliorationascentbettermentdevelopmentgrowthimprovementprogressrecoveryrise

2. C1formal

   A downward slope or bend.

   Pente descendante ou courbure

   • The path followed a gentle declination towards the river.
   • The declination of the roof directs rainwater into the gutter.
   • They hiked down the steep declination of the hill.

   Synonymesdeclinedeclivitydescentdipdowngradeslope

   Antonymesascentelevationrise

3. Astronomical coordinateC2formal

   The angular distance of a celestial body north or south of the celestial equator; expressed in degrees; used with right ascension to specify positions on the celestial sphere.

   Déclinaison (coordonnée astronomique)

   • The star's declination is measured in degrees from the celestial equator.
   • Astronomers recorded the declination of the comet precisely.
   • The telescope was adjusted to match the declination of the target galaxy.

4. C1formal

   A polite refusal of an invitation.

   Refus poli

   • She sent a formal declination to the wedding invitation.
   • His declination of the offer was gracefully worded.
   • The committee received several declinations from potential speakers.

   Synonymesdemurralnonacceptancerefusalrejection

   Antonymesacceptanceaccordagreementassentconsent