obliquity

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabletechnical

   The angle at which one thing is tilted away from another, especially the tilt of a planet's axis relative to its orbit.

   Grammar: Usually used with of: the obliquity of the ecliptic. It is a technical term in astronomy and geometry.

   Patterns

   • the obliquity of something
   • obliquity of the ecliptic

   The obliquity of Earth's axis is what gives us the seasons.

   Astronomers measure the obliquity of a planet by comparing its axis to its orbit.

   Small changes in obliquity over thousands of years affect the climate.

2. 2noununcountableformalliterary

   Lack of directness in speech or behavior, or morally crooked conduct that avoids being straightforward.

   Grammar: Used in formal writing, often with a slightly critical tone: the obliquity of his answers.

   Patterns

   • the obliquity of something

   Voters were tired of the obliquity of the minister's replies.

   There was a certain obliquity in the way he asked for a favor.

   The judge criticized the obliquity of the witness's testimony.

Word forms

Common combinations

obliquity of the ecliptic

The obliquity of the ecliptic is about twenty-three and a half degrees.

axial obliquity

A planet with high axial obliquity has extreme seasons.

moral obliquity

The novel explores the moral obliquity of the ruling class.

obliquity of speech

His obliquity of speech made it hard to know what he wanted.

change in obliquity

A change in obliquity can alter the climate of a whole hemisphere.

Synonyms and how they differ

tilt

Tilt is the everyday word for a lean or slope, while obliquity is the exact technical term for the angle.

slant

Slant suggests an inclined line and can also mean a bias, but it is less precise than obliquity.

indirectness

Indirectness describes evasive speech neutrally, whereas obliquity can hint at dishonesty.

deviousness

Deviousness is stronger and clearly accuses someone of cunning dishonesty, while obliquity is more subtle.

Opposites

Word family

oblique adjective

slanting, or not direct

obliquely adverb

at a slant, or in an indirect way

obliqueness noun

the quality of being oblique

Commonly confused: obliquity or obloquy?

Practice

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