declination: Meaning and Definition of

dec•li•na•tion

1. a bending, sloping, or moving downward.
2. deterioration; decline.
3. a swerving or deviating, as from a standard.
4. a polite refusal.
5. the angular distance of a heavenly body from the celestial equator, measured on the great circle passing through the celestial pole and the body.
6. variation (def. 8).
7. the formal refusal by a nominee of a nomination to public office.