declination
/ˌdek.lɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdek.ləˈneɪ.ʃən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌde-klə-ˈnā-shən/ (ame, mw)
declination — 名詞
- declinationsingular
- declinationsplural
1. In astronomy, the angle that shows how far north or south a star, planet, or oth
赤緯
天體相對天球赤道的角距
In astronomy, the angle that shows how far north or south a star, planet, or other object appears relative to the sky's equator line.
Noa checked the moon's declination before setting up the school telescope.
Noa 在架設學校望遠鏡前，先查看了月球的赤緯。
astronomy: check a body's declination before observing
At midnight, Walid wrote the star's declination beside its chart label.
午夜時，Walid 把那顆恆星的赤緯寫在圖表標籤旁。
pattern: the declination of + celestial body
A lower declination placed the comet deeper in the southern sky.
較低的赤緯，讓那顆彗星看起來更靠近南方天空。
The app lists each planet's declination next to the time column.
這個應用程式會把每顆行星的赤緯列在時間欄旁邊。
During class, the teacher explained declination with a lamp and globe.
上課時，老師用燈和地球儀來說明赤緯。
- celestial latitude
A near-equivalent in a different coordinate system; not used in exactly the same calculations.
- sky coordinate
Much broader; declination is one specific coordinate, not the whole system.
文法句型
the declination of + celestial body
check/record/measure + declination
declination + value
用法筆記
Usually given in degrees and commonly paired with right ascension when astronomers state an object's position in the sky.
2. A slow movement into a worse state after a period when something was stronger, h
衰退
由較好狀態逐步變差
A slow movement into a worse state after a period when something was stronger, healthier, or of better quality.
Historians link the empire's declination to years of costly war.
歷史學家把這個帝國的衰退歸因於多年戰事。
formal writing about long-term worsening
Residents feared a further declination in public safety downtown.
居民擔心市中心的公共安全會進一步衰退。
The report traced the declination of local fish stocks over decades.
那份報告追蹤了當地魚群數量數十年的衰退。
Teachers blamed budget cuts for the declination of music programs.
老師們把音樂課程的衰退歸咎於預算刪減。
Critics noted a steady declination in the paper's standards after the merger.
合併之後，評論者注意到這份報紙的標準持續衰退。
- decline
Far more common in everyday English and less formal in tone.
- deterioration
Focuses more directly on damage or worsening condition.
- downturn
Usually used for business or economic activity rather than broad historical weakening.
- improvement
A move to a better condition or standard.
- recovery
A return to strength or health after weakness.
文法句型
the declination of + institution/condition
declination in + quality/standards
用法筆記
Most often seen in formal discussion of standards, health, institutions, or long historical change. In everyday English, decline is much more usual.
3. A part of something that slopes or bends downward instead of staying level or st
下傾
物體向下斜去的角度或彎勢
A part of something that slopes or bends downward instead of staying level or straight.
The road's sudden declination made cyclists brake near the bridge.
道路突然下傾，讓單車騎士在橋邊趕緊煞車。
physical surface with a downward lean
Felix noticed a slight declination of the shelf after the storm.
暴風雨過後，Felix 注意到那個架子有些微下傾。
pattern: declination in + object
Workers adjusted the ramp's declination before opening the loading bay.
工人在打開裝貨區之前，先調整了斜坡的下傾。
Rainwater ran along the declination of the stone path into the drain.
雨水沿著石板路的下傾流進了排水口。
The pipe needs more declination so the water can move faster.
這根管子需要更大的下傾，水才能流得更快。
文法句型
a/the + declination
declination of + surface/object
slight/sudden + declination
用法筆記
Used for a physical line, surface, or object that turns downward. It is more technical and much less common than slope or tilt.
4. A formal or courteous statement that someone will not accept an invitation, offe
辭謝；婉拒
正式或客氣地回絕邀請等
A formal or courteous statement that someone will not accept an invitation, offer, request, or honour.
Gabriela emailed her declination to the embassy before the dinner.
Gabriela 在晚宴前，用電子郵件把辭謝回覆給使館。
formal reply to an invitation
Please return your acceptance or declination before Friday afternoon.
請在星期五下午前回覆你是接受還是婉拒。
paired formula: acceptance or declination
Nikhil's polite declination left the host disappointed but not offended.
Nikhil 禮貌的婉拒，讓主人失望卻沒有覺得被冒犯。
The club received three declinations after the venue changed.
場地更動後，俱樂部收到了三份辭謝。
Lauren's declination of the award surprised reporters at the ceremony.
Lauren 對該獎項的婉拒，讓典禮上的記者很驚訝。
- acceptance
A statement that someone agrees to receive or attend something.
- consent
Formal agreement, especially when permission is involved.
文法句型
a/the + declination
declination of + invitation/request
send/receive + a declination
用法筆記
Common in invitations, minutes, and official correspondence rather than everyday speech. In ordinary conversation, refusal is much more usual.