What does hading mean?
Hading is a specialized English noun meaning an inclination or slope. In diving, it usually refers to the angle of the sea floor relative to the horizontal, so divers use it to describe whether a reef, wall, or sandy slope is gradual or steep. In mining and geology, it can refer to the angle of a mineral vein or lode measured from the vertical. The word is uncommon in general conversation: a speaker would normally say slope, gradient, or inclination, depending on the context. Within diving and mining circles, however, hading is the more precise term, and a pronounced hading may influence route planning, visibility, and the difficulty of moving along a bottom. Hading is also useful when comparing physical features across a site, since it turns an apparently flat underwater landscape into a measurable series of slopes and changes in depth. Its specialized history gives it a technical, almost geographical atmosphere, even though its everyday meaning is straightforward: a line is not level, and this word names its tilt.
nounThe inclination or slope of a surface, especially the sea floor or a mineral vein. In diving it usually describes the angle of the bottom relative to the horizontal; in mining it may describe the angle of a vein relative to the vertical.
- In diving, the angle or slope of the sea floor relative to the horizontal.
- In mining and geology, the inclination of a mineral vein or lode, especially the angle it makes with the vertical.
"The dive guide pointed out the pronounced hading of the reef as we followed the sloping bottom."
"The survey chart showed a gradual hading toward the center of the lagoon."
"The surveyor's notes recorded the hading of the lode from vertical."
The plural is rare and is used when referring to separate slopes or recorded inclination measurements.
"The survey compared the hadings of several sections along the reef."
A reef can look flat until a diver crosses it: its hading can reveal slopes, ledges, and the edge of deeper water.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hading come from?
Hading comes from the older English noun hade, used in mining for the inclination of a vein from the vertical. The term was later applied in diving to the angle of the seabed. Its more remote origin is not sufficiently clear to assign confidently to a particular language or root.
How hading is actually used
This is a specialized term used chiefly in diving, surveying, mining, and geology. In general prose, slope, gradient, or inclination will usually sound more natural. The reference angle may differ by discipline: diving normally measures the bottom relative to horizontal, while mining usage often measures a vein relative to vertical.
Easily confused with hading
Hiding means concealing or being concealed, whereas hading is the technical noun for an inclined surface or the angle it forms.