declivity in English
- declivity⇄declivity, noun, pl.-ties.
a downward slope.
Ex. The declivity of the mountain pass was so steep that even the mules had difficulty.
(SYN) descent, inclination, gradient.
declivity in Sindhi سنڌي
declivity in Telugu తెలుగు
Declivity
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/dɪˈklɪvɪti/
Definitions
- A downward slope, especially of a hill or terrain.
- A descending gradient or inclination.
Usage Examples
- The steep declivity made it difficult to climb back up.
- Rainwater flowed rapidly down the natural declivity of the land.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin "declivitas," from "declivis" (sloping downward), which combines "de-" (down) and "clivus" (slope, hill).
Synonyms
- Descent
- Downward slope
- Inclination
- Gradient
Antonyms
- Acclivity
- Ascent
- Uphill
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Declive | /deˈkliβe/ |
| French | Déclivité | /deklivite/ |
| German | Gefälle | /ɡəˈfɛlə/ |
| Italian | Declivio | /dekˈlivjo/ |
| Portuguese | Declive | /dɛˈklivi/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 倾斜 | /qīngxié/ |
| Japanese | 下り坂 | /kudarizaka/ |
| Korean | 경사 | /gyeongsa/ |
| Russian | Склон | /sklon/ |
| Arabic | انحدار | /inḥidār/ |
| Hindi | ढलान | /ḍhalān/ |
| Bengali | ঢাল | /ḍhāl/ |
| Telugu | అవతల భాగం | /avatala bhāgaṁ/ |
| Tamil | இரிவு | /irivu/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In American English, "declivity" is pronounced as /dɪˈklɪvɪti/, while in British English, it may sound more like /dɪˈklɪvɪtɪ/ with a softer ending.
Historical Usage
The term "declivity" has been in use since the 17th century, often in topographical descriptions and literary works to depict sloping landscapes.
Cultural Nuances
Declivity is commonly used in geography, engineering, and architecture to describe natural and man-made slopes. It plays an essential role in environmental studies, erosion control, and construction projects.
More Information
The concept of declivity is crucial in various disciplines, including civil engineering, where roads and bridges must be designed with proper slope calculations. In literature, the term is often used metaphorically to describe decline or downfall. Additionally, declivity is significant in hydrology, as the angle of slopes affects water drainage and soil stability.