declination

 
Pronunciation: /ˌdɛklɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • 1 Astronomy the angular distance of a point north or south of the celestial equator: the declination of Arcturus is 19 degrees northCompare with right ascension and celestial latitude.
  • the angular deviation of a compass needle from true north (because the magnetic north pole and the geographic north pole do not coincide).
  • 3US formal refusal: [as modifier]: the mandatory vaccine declination form

Derivatives

declinational

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin declinatio(n-), from the verb declinare (see decline)