declivity

noun

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de·cliv·i·ty | \ di-ˈkli-və-tē

plural declivities

Definition of declivity

1 : downward inclination

2 : a descending slope

Synonyms & Antonyms What is the Difference Between declivity and acclivity? Example Sentences Learn More About declivity

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."