inclination

Etymology

From Middle English inclinacioun, inclinacyon, from Old French inclination and Latin inclīnātiō. Morphologically incline + -ation

noun

1. A physical tilt or bend.
   The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.
2. A slant or slope.
   The road up to the house had a steep inclination.
3. A tendency.
   His inclination to drink escalated to alcoholism.
4. (geometry) The angle of intersection of a reference plane
   The astronomer calculated the inclination of the equator or ecliptic of Earth and the orbital planes of each visible heavenly body.
   Artillery must take account of a weapon's precise inclination.
5. (obsolete) A person or thing loved or admired.
   c. 1672-1679, William Temple, Memoirs you make will be a Discovery of your Inclinations
   c. 1771, John Adams, speaking in a trial Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.