inclinometern.

1842 H. Lloyd Acct. Magnetical Observatory Dublin 14 (note) I have adopted the terms ‘declinometer’ and ‘inclinometer’ (rather than the words ‘ecclinometer’ and ‘cataclinometer’), in order that the thing observed, and the instrument used in observing it, may be designated by similar names; and the composition of the terms seems justifiable on the ground, that their component parts, though belonging originally to different languages, are now both naturalized in the English.

1844 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1841–3 2 237 A new induction inclinometer by Professor Lloyd of Dublin.

1872 Nature 14 Mar. 392/1 The needle of the inclinometer did not give the slightest indication of a disturbance.

1941 Jrnl. Hist. Ideas 2 2 Gilbert describes at length and illustrates by woodcuts four magnetic measuring instruments, two declinometers and two inclinometers.

1998 Isis 89 325/2 These [instrument types] include..inclinometers by Nairne and Blunt, Etienne Lenoir, and Troughton and Simms.

1852 Mechanics' Mag. 57 416/2 An improved apparatus, instrument, or means for ascertaining or setting off the slope or level of drains, banks, inclines, or works of any description..which the patentee calls an ‘inclinometer’.

1898 Tit-Bits 16 July 313/3 A patent inclinometer, designed to register the exact roll or list to port or starboard of a vessel at sea or in harbour.

1913 Captain Sept. 1069/2 An inclinometer, to show the angle of ascent or descent.

1960 H. L. Michael in K. B. Woods et al. Highway Engin. Handbk. ii. 11 Devices called ‘gradiometers’ or ‘inclinometers’, essentially bubble tubes graduated to read either percentage of grade or degree of incline, have been constructed to obtain grade information.

2005 J. Fredston Snowstruck ii. 57 In case you are unaccustomed to keeping an inclinometer handy, the incline of an average staircase is 30 degrees.