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. disposed, having a tendency; sloping, descending. inclinedplane a simple machine for elevating objects; consists of plane surface that makes an acute angle with the horizontalinclined plane. (mech.) (a) a plane that makes an oblique angle with the plane of the horizon; a sloping plane. when used to produce pressure, or as a means of moving bodies, it is one of the mechanical powers, so called...see:
inclined.
2. Having a leaning or tendency towards, or away from, a thing; disposed or moved by wish, desire, or judgment; as, a man inclined to virtue.
3. Making an angle with some line or plane; said of a line or plane.
4. Bent out of a perpendicular position, or into a curve with the convex side uppermost. at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position; "an inclined plane".
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. To bow; to incline the head.
8. 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.
9. To impart a tendency or propensity to, as to the will or affections; to turn; to dispose; to influence.
10. To bend; to cause to stoop or bow; as, to incline the head or the body in acts of reverence or civility.
11. 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".
12. 1. If you are inclined to behave in a particular way, you often behave in that way, or you want to do so. Nobody felt inclined to argue with Smith If you are so inclined, you can watch TV.
13. vagueness If you say that you are inclined to have a particular opinion, you mean that you hold this opinion but you are not expressing it strongly. I am inclined to agree with Alan.
14. Someone who is mathematically inclined or artistically inclined, for example, has a natural talent for mathematics or art. the needs of academically inclined pupils. see also:
incline.