inclinatio

Inclinatio is a Latin noun that generally expresses inclination, tilt, slant, or tendency. In classical usage it could refer to a physical tilt of a body or line as well as a figurative disposition of mind or character.

Etymology and cognates: The word derives from inclinare, meaning to bend toward, formed from in- (toward) and clinare (to bend). In modern languages it has given rise to equivalents such as English inclination, Italian inclinazione, French inclinaison, and Spanish inclinación, reflecting both physical and figurative senses.

Usage and applications: In geometry and astronomy, inclinatio historically denotes the angle between planes or lines. In astronomy, orbital inclination describes the tilt of an orbit relative to a reference plane; in contemporary terminology this is usually called the orbital inclination. In other fields such as geology, surveying, or medicine, the concept of tilt or tilt-related measurements appears, but modern technical terms—such as dip in geology or specific anatomical descriptors—are often preferred over the Latin form. In a figurative sense, inclinatio can denote a person’s tendency or preference, as in inclinatio animi (an inclination of the mind).

See also: Inclination, Orbital inclination, Tilt, Dip (geology).