declivity

noun

de·​cliv·​i·​ty di-ˈkli-və-tē 

plural declivities

1

: downward inclination

2

: a descending slope

Did you know?

What is the Difference Between declivity and acclivity?

Three different English words descend from clivus, the Latin word for "slope" or "hill"—with the help of three Latin prefixes. Declivity combines clivus with the prefix de-, meaning "down" or "away." Acclivity uses ad- (which changes its second letter depending on the root word), meaning "to" or "toward." Hence, an acclivity is an upward slope. The third word has a figurative meaning in English: proclivity makes use of the prefix pro-, meaning "forward," and this word refers to a personal inclination, predisposition, or "leaning."

Synonyms

• declension
• decline
• descent
• dip
• downgrade
• downhill
• fall
• hang
• hanging

Examples of declivity in a Sentence

the cabin is precariously perched on a declivity of the mountain's northern face

Word History

Etymology

Latin declivitat-, declivitas, from declivis sloping down, from de- + clivus slope, hill; akin to Latin clinare

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

declivity

noun

de·​cliv·​i·​ty di-ˈkliv-ət-ē 

plural declivities

1

: downward inclination

2

: a descending slope