incline
verb /ɪnˈklʌɪn 
/
/1 (usually be inclined to/towards/to do something) Be favourably disposed towards or willing to do something: he was inclined to accept the offer Lucy was inclined to a belief in original sin...
- I have to confess I've always been personally inclined towards belief.
- The contest disproved the general belief that the youngsters of today were more inclined towards western music than classical.
- And in the end, even if women are less inclined towards math and science than men, it does not mean that there are not many capable women with the desire and abilities to pursue these fields.
Synonyms
disposed, minded, of a mind, willing, ready, prepared;
predisposed
1.1 [with infinitive] (Especially as a polite formula) tend to have a specified opinion: I’m inclined to agree with you...
- Some prominent non-Americans are inclined to agree.
- No, I'm sure if I glanced again, there would be more I would be inclined to agree on, but these are the tunes I feel strongly about.
- Are you inclined to agree, or do they have some support?
1.2 [with object] Make (someone) disposed to do something: his prejudice inclines him to overlook obvious facts...
- Kraynak's hostility toward skeptical and individualistic liberalism inclines him to overlook the virtues of democracy.
- Hence we must find another interpretation for Leibniz's statement that our motives and desires may incline us, or influence us, to choose without thereby necessitating us to choose.
- Rather it is designed to advise the parties of facts upon which they can make an informed decision as to whether the judge's interest could possibly incline him or her to pre-judge the issues.
Synonyms
predispose, lead, make, make of a mind to, dispose, bias, prejudice;
prompt, induce, influence, sway;
persuade, convince
1.3 [no object] Feel favourably disposed towards someone or something: I incline to the view that this conclusion is untenable...
- Another advantage of introducing technology in schools was that both teachers and students became favourably inclined towards changes in methods of learning.
- Immediately after announcing his candidacy he set about removing people from key positions who were not favourably inclined towards him.
- On the other hand, her growing ability to compete commercially led her mercantile interests to incline to the British view and stress the importance of free access to the whole of China.
Synonyms
prefer, have a preference for, favour, be favourably disposed to, go for, have a penchant for, have a liking for;
tend, lean, swing, veer, gravitate, be drawn, be attracted;
North American trend
2 (usually be inclined to/to do something) Have a tendency to do something: she’s inclined to gossip with complete strangers...
- Only the Germans were less likely to agree, with 40% believing that humans are inclined to stick with a single partner for life.
- People tend to be, in my opinion, far too inclined to worship the mages than to worship God, which is a severe problem.
- Once a person is bored and lonely, he is inclined to think negatively, which may result in a permanent residence six feet below the ground.
Synonyms
liable, likely, prone, disposed, given, apt, wont, with a tendency;
in the habit of
2.1 [with adverbial] Have a specified disposition or talent: some people are very mathematically inclined...
- For those who are mathematically inclined, that's one school every three years.
- As promised, some mathematically inclined posts.
- We leave the proof of this calculation as an exercise for the mathematically inclined reader.
3 [no object, usually with adverbial of direction] Lean or turn away from a given plane or direction, especially the vertical or horizontal: the bunker doors incline outwards (as adjective inclined) an inclined ramp...
- Together with the tilt toward the z axis, this causes the equatorial reflections to become inclined from the horizontal direction.
- With few exceptions, all are solid teak with glass tops, which are either horizontal or inclined.
- Radials wider than high, inclined outward, radial facets curved in at sides, slightly narrower than maximum width of radial.
Synonyms
lean, tilt, angle, tip, slope, slant, bend, curve, bank, cant, bevel;
list, heel;
deviate
3.1 [with object] Bend (one’s head) forwards and downwards: he inclined his head in agreement...
- Harry tucked his wand back into his pocket and ran his hands over Malfoy's neck and shoulders, inclining his head forward and back.
- Jane smiled timidly at her mother, inclining her head forward, and then pulled on her own jacket.
- His elbows brushed against the dusty surface of the desk as he inclined his head forward, awaiting her response.
Synonyms
bend, bow, nod, bob, lower, dip
noun /ˈɪnklʌɪn /
/An inclined surface or plane; a slope, especially on a road or railway: the road climbs a long incline through a forest...
- At the top of the next incline, the road would change to a downhill slope and start back into the city.
- Going up an incline on a main road or motorway frequently involves going down to 4th gear.
- The inclines on the road near Fewston Church present a challenge.
Synonyms
slope, gradient, pitch, ramp, bank, ascent, rise, acclivity, upslope, dip, descent, declivity, downslope;
hill;
North American grade, downgrade, upgrade
Derivatives
inclinable
/ adjective ...- That I may not, be wanting on my part to save any of the blood which may be spilled therein, I am willing, upon a timely Surrender, to give terms to so fair an enemy (Especially if I find you inclinable to more peace conditions in the future).
- Special features such as ‘crusty plates’ and ‘inclinable grills’ made it possible to speedily cook even tikkas and kebabs.
- Recently reissued, it has two speeds and an inclinable head, great for getting the soda jerk in your life to whip up fountain drinks, malteds and thick shakes.
incliner
- And on budget reply night he gave Labor supporters and incliners something meaty to chew on, and some hope that Labor had the capacity and confidence to construct a vision for Australia which took Howard on, not bowed down to him.
Origin
Middle English (originally in the sense 'bend (the head or body) towards something'; formerly also as encline): from Old French encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- 'towards' + clinare 'to bend'.
lean from Old English:
The two words spelled lean are of different origins. Both are Old English, but the one meaning ‘be in a sloping position’ shares a root of Latin clinare, as in incline (Middle English); decline (Late Middle English); and recline (Late Middle English). We sometimes talk of lean years or a lean period. This expression comes from the story of Joseph in the Bible. He successfully interprets Pharaoh's disturbing dream, in which seven plump, healthy cattle come out of the river and begin to feed. Seven lean, malnourished animals then leave the river and proceed to eat the plump cattle. According to Joseph's interpretation, there will be seven years of plenty in Egypt followed by seven lean years. Pharaoh, impressed by Joseph, appoints him vice-regent to prepare the country for the ordeal of the seven lean years. A person who is lean and hungry is active and alert-looking. The phrase comes from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar—‘Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look.’