DECLINATION, in Astronomy, the distance of
any celestial object from the equinoctial, either north-
ward or southward. It is either true or apparent, ac-
cording as the real or apparent place of the object is
considered. See ASTRONOMY Index.
DECLINATION of the SEA COMPASS or NEEDLE, is its va-
riation from the true meridian of any place.
DECLINATION of a PLANE or WALL, in Dialing, is the
horizontal arch contained between the plane and the
prime vertical circle, if you reckon from east to west;
or between the meridian and the plane, reckoning
from north to south. Many ways are used for finding
this declination: but the most easy and practicable is
by a declinator. See DECLINATOR.