Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Incline \In*cline"\, n.
An inclined plane; an ascent o? descent; a grade or gradient;
a slope.
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.]
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.
Incline \In*cline"\, v. t.
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.
Source : WordNet®
incline
n 1: an elevated geological formation; "he climbed the steep
slope"; "the house was built on the side of the
mountain" [syn: {slope}, {side}]
2: an inclined surface or roadway that moves traffic from one
level to another [syn: {ramp}]
v 1: have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be
inclined; "She tends to be nervous before her lectures";
"These dresses run small"; "He inclined to corpulence"
[syn: {tend}, {be given}, {lean}, {run}]
2: bend or turn (one's ear) towards a speaker in order to
listen well; "He inclined his ear to the wise old man"
3: lower or bend (the head or upper body), as in a nod or bow;
"She inclined her head to the student"
4: be at an angle; "The terrain sloped down" [syn: {slope}, {pitch}]
5: make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude or
belief; "Their language inclines us to believe them" [syn:
{dispose}] [ant: {indispose}]