Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French incliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- + clinare to lean; more at LEAN
Pronunciation : in-klIn
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. slope, grade, slant. slope, tilt, slant; bend, bow, lean; be disposed, tend toward, gravitate; cause to bend; influence. incline\in*cline"\ , v. i. [imp. & p. p. inclined ; p. pr. & vb. n. inclining.] [oe. inclinen, enclinen, of. encliner, incliner, f. incliner, l. inclinare; pref. in- in + clinare to bend, incline; akin to e. lean. see:
lean to incline.].
2. to deviate from a line, direction, or course, toward an object; to lean; to tend; as, converging lines incline toward each other; a road inclines to the north or south.
3. fig.: to lean or tend, in an intellectual or moral sense; to favor an opinion, a course of conduct, or a person; to have a propensity or inclination; to be disposed. their hearts inclined to follow abimelech. es ix.
4. power finds its balance, giddy motions cease in both the scales, and each inclines to peace.
5. to bow; to incline the head.
6. To deviate from a line, direction, or course, toward an object; to lean; to tend; as, converging lines incline toward each other; a road inclines to the north or south.
7. Fig.: To lean or tend, in an intellectual or moral sense; to favor an opinion, a course of conduct, or a person; to have a propensity or inclination; to be disposed.
8. To bow; to incline the head.
9. To cause to deviate from a line, position, or direction; to give a leaning, bend, or slope to; as, incline the column or post to the east; incline your head to the right.
10. To impart a tendency or propensity to, as to the will or affections; to turn; to dispose; to influence.
11. To bend; to cause to stoop or bow; as, to incline the head or the body in acts of reverence or civility.
12. An inclined plane; an ascent or descent; a grade or gradient; a slope. lower or bend , as in a nod or bow; "She inclined her head to the student" bend or turn towards a speaker in order to listen well; "He inclined his ear to the wise old man".
13. 1. If you incline to think or act in a particular way, or if something inclines you to it, you are likely to think or act in that way. I incline to the view that he is right. the factors which incline us towards particular beliefs Many end up as team leaders, which inclines them to co-operate with the bosses Those who fail incline to blame the world for their failure.
14. If you incline your head, you bend your neck so that your head is leaning forward. Jack inclined his head very slightly.
15. An incline is land that slopes at an angle. He came to a halt at the edge of a steep incline. = slope. a slope.