incline Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an elevated geological formation
    slope; side.
    • he climbed the steep slope
    • the house was built on the side of a mountain
  2. noun an inclined surface connecting two levels
    ramp.
  3. verb have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
    run; lean; be given; tend.
    • She tends to be nervous before her lectures
    • These dresses run small
    • He inclined to corpulence
  4. verb bend or turn (one's ear) towards a speaker in order to listen well
    • He inclined his ear to the wise old man
  5. verb lower or bend (the head or upper body), as in a nod or bow
    • She inclined her head to the student
  6. verb be at an angle
    slope; pitch.
    • The terrain sloped down
  7. verb feel favorably disposed or willing
    • She inclines to the view that people should be allowed to expres their religious beliefs
  8. verb make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude or belief
    dispose.
    • Their language inclines us to believe them

WordNet

In*cline" intransitive verb
Etymology
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.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Inclined ; present participle & verbal noun Inclining
Definitions
  1. 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.
  2. 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. Judges ix. 3.
    Power finds its balance, giddy motions cease In both the scales, and each inclines to peace. Parnell.
  3. To bow; to incline the head. Chaucer. Syn. -- To lean; slope; slant; tend; bend.
In*cline" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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.
    Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear. Is. xxxvii. 17.
  2. To impart a tendency or propensity to, as to the will or affections; to turn; to dispose; to influence.
    Incline my heart unto thy testimonies. Ps. cxix. 36.
    Incline our hearts to keep this law. Book of Com. Prayer.
  3. To bend; to cause to stoop or bow; as, to incline the head or the body in acts of reverence or civility.
    With due respect my body I inclined. Dryden.
In*cline" noun
Definitions
  1. An inclined plane; an ascent o descent; a grade or gradient; a slope.

Webster 1913