noun, plural o·bliq·ui·ties.
- the state of being oblique.
- divergence from moral conduct, rectitude, etc.; immorality, dishonesty, or the like.
- an instance of such divergence.
- mental perversity.
- an instance of mental perversity.
- an inclination or a degree of inclination.
- a confusing or obscure statement or passage of writing, especially one deliberately made obscure.
- 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.
noun plural -ties
- the state or condition of being oblique
- a deviation from the perpendicular or horizontal
- a moral or mental deviation
- 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
n.early 15c., from Middle French obliquité (14c.), from Latin obliquitatem (nominative obliquitas) “slanting direction, obliquity,” noun of quality from obliquus (see oblique). n.
- asynclitism