a. [f. Gr. ἀκλῐν-ής unbending (f. ἀ priv. + κλίν-ειν to bend) + -IC.] Without inclination. Applied to the magnetic equator, or line surrounding the earth and cutting the terrestrial equator, on which the magnetic needle has no dip but lies horizontal.
[Not in Craig, 1847.]
1850. Ansted, Elem. Geol., 20. There is in the neighbourhood of the earth’s equator, and cutting it at four points, an irregular curve called the magnetic equator or aclinic line.
1873. Atkinson, Ganot’s Phys. (ed. 6), 565. The aclinic line is the line which joins all these places on the earth where … the dipping needle is quite horizontal.
