declivity

American  

[dih-kliv-i-tee] / dɪˈklɪv ɪ ti /

noun

declivities plural

1. a downward slope, as of ground (opposed to acclivity).

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declivity British  

/ dɪˈklɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. a downward slope, esp of the ground Compare acclivity

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• declivitous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• declivities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of declivity

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin dēclīvitās “a slope, hill,” equivalent to dēclīvi(s) “sloping downward” ( dē- prefix indicating downward motion + clīv(us) “slope, hill” + -is adjective suffix) + -tās noun suffix; see de-, -ty ²

Explanation

If you're standing at the top of a hill looking down to the bottom, you're staring down a declivity, a downward slope of any kind. The word declivity comes from the Latin words de, which means "down," and clivus, which means "slope." If you're at the bottom of the hill looking up, you'll see the opposite of a declivity. From that position you'll be looking at an acclivity, an upward slope.

Example Sentences

Acclivity, ak-kliv′i-ti, n. a slope upwards—opp. to Declivity, a slope downwards.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

This charming City is situate in form of an Amphitheatre upon the Declivity of a high Mountain, so that you may see it all at one View, tho' 'tis large and contains above 100000 Inhabitants.

From The Travels and Adventures of James Massey by Patot, Simon Tyssot de

Declivity, de-kliv′i-ti, n. a place that declines, or slopes downward, opposite of acclivity: inclination downward: a gradual descent.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

This was a Task attended with Difficulties, neither few in Number, nor small in Consequence; for it was to be rais'd upon a great Declivity, which must render the Work both laborious and precarious.

From Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Defoe, Daniel