declivities

1 definition found

declivities - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Declivity \De*cliv"i*ty\, n.; pl. Declivities. [L. declivitas,
     fr. declivis sloping, downhill; de + clivus a slope, a hill;
     akin to clinare to incline: cf. F. d['e]clivit['e]. See
     Decline.]
     1. Deviation from a horizontal line; gradual descent of
        surface; inclination downward; slope; -- opposed to
        acclivity, or ascent; the same slope, considered as
        descending, being a declivity, which, considered as
        ascending, is an acclivity.
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     2. A descending surface; a sloping place.
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              Commodious declivities and channels for the passage
              of the waters.                        --Derham.
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