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v. in·clined, in·clin·ing, in·clines v.tr. 1. To cause (someone) to have a certain tendency: dispose: "His active, daring temperament little inclined him to patient, quiet study" (Harriet Beecher Stowe). 2. To dispose (someone) to have a certain preference or opinion or to take a course of action: I'm inclined to agree with you. Are you inclined to go to out tonight? 3. To cause to lean, slant, or slope: "Galileo ... inclined the plane and rolled brass balls down it" (George Johnson). See Synonyms at slant. 4. To bend or lower in a nod or bow: I inclined my head in acquiescence. v.intr. 1. To be disposed to a certain preference, opinion, or course of action: Some researchers incline toward a different view of the problem. 2. To deviate from the horizontal or vertical; slant: When the path inclined steeply, it became difficult to continue hiking. 3. To lower or bend the head or body, as in a nod or bow. n. (ĭnklīn′) An inclined surface; a slope or gradient: The car rolled down the incline. [Middle English enclinen, from Old French encliner, from Latin inclīnāre : in-, into, toward; see IN-2 + -clīnāre, to lean; see klei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] in·cliner n. |
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