obliquity

[ uh-blik-wi-tee, oh-blik- ]

noun

, plural o·bliq·ui·ties.

1. the state of being oblique.
2. divergence from moral conduct, rectitude, etc.; immorality, dishonesty, or the like.
3. an instance of such divergence.
4. mental perversity.
5. an instance of mental perversity.
6. an inclination or a degree of inclination.
7. a confusing or obscure statement or passage of writing, especially one deliberately made obscure.
8. Also called obliquity of the ecliptic. Astronomy. the angle between the plane of the earth's orbit and that of the earth's equator, equal to 23°27′; the inclination of the earth's equator.

obliquity

/ əˈblɪkwɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being oblique
2. a deviation from the perpendicular or horizontal
3. a moral or mental deviation
4. Also calledobliquity of the ecliptic astronomy the angle between the plane of the earth's orbit and that of the celestial equator, equal to approximately 23° 27′ at present

Derived Forms

• oˈbliquitous, adjective

Other Words From

• o·bliqui·tous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obliquity¹

1375–1425; late Middle English obliquitee < Middle French obliquite < Latin oblīquitās, equivalent to oblīqu ( us ) oblique + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

That represents Earth’s axial tilt, which astronomers call its obliquity, relative to the plane of its nearly circular orbit around the sun.

From Scientific American

Such a slouch, or obliquity, gives us our seasons.

From New York Times

“Your memory is true, friend John. I should have remembered. And yet it is this very obliquity of thought and memory which makes mental disease such a fascinating study. Perhaps I may gain more knowledge out of the folly of this madman than I shall from the teaching of the most wise. Who knows?”

From Literature

It’s not a question of subtlety, which the stage can accommodate, but obliquity, which feels like an evasion of theater’s confrontational power.

From Los Angeles Times

This led to the recognition of regular changes in key astronomical parameters: the eccentricity of Earth’s orbit around the Sun, and the obliquity and precession of Earth’s rotational axis.

From Nature

Related Words

• absurdity
• craziness
• foolishness
• idiocy
• indiscretion
• lunacy
• madness
• recklessness
• silliness
• stupidity