obliquity

American  

[uh-blik-wi-tee, oh-blik-] / əˈblɪk wɪ ti, oʊˈblɪk- /

noun

• obliquities
  plural

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 obliquity of the ecliptic.  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 British  

/ 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 called: obliquity 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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• obliquitous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• obliquities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of obliquity

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

Explanation

Obliquity is a characteristic of being deliberately indirect or vague, especially to fool or deceive someone. The obliquity of many politicians makes it hard to get a straight answer from them. If your teacher comments on the obliquity of your poem, it may be a compliment, or it may mean your writing is just hard to understand. And while obliquity isn't a bad quality in a poet, it's less desirable in a math tutor, or anyone who needs to be straightforward and clear. We can trace the origin of obliquity back to the Latin obliquus, "slanting, sidelong, or indirect."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

obliquity obliquities

Sweeping statements were made about genre and obliquity and readerly expectations.

From Slate ● Mar. 26, 2019

Although it does not possess a high obliquity, its elliptical orbit massages the moon’s interior, thanks to Jupiter’s gravitational pull.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 4, 2019

Although our planet’s obliquity is relatively constant, it does change by a mere few degrees.

From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2018

Then György Kurtag’s “The Answered Unanswered Question,” music on the edge of obliquity that answers nothing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2018

This angle, which may be called the obliquity of Mars’ ecliptic, does not differ much from that of the earth.

From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by J. Ellard Gore

It has also long caused astronomers to wonder whether Earth’s tilt — arguably a sweet spot between more extreme obliquities — helped create the conditions necessary for life.

From New York Times ● Jun. 21, 2023

Interactions with other objects over their lifetimes can change their obliquities, tilting them over slightly or tremendously.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 4, 2019

“Large obliquities make stronger tides, and tides make the planet move,” Millholland says.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 4, 2019

"Then why didn't you say so?" complained McGlade, as though impatient of obliquities that had been altogether too apparent.

From Never-Fail Blake by Arthur Stringer

By this time, poor Dandy, who, notwithstanding the obliquities of his master's disposition, had a strong regard for him, reached the shore.

From Watch and Wait or The Young Fugitives by Oliver Optic

Related Words

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