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Dictionary


in•cline



Pronunciation: (
—v.in-klīn';
—n.in'klīn, in-klīn'), [key]
—v., -clined, -clin•ing,
—n.

—v.t.
1. to deviate from the vertical or horizontal; slant.
2. to have a mental tendency, preference, etc.; be disposed: We incline to rest and relaxation these days.
3. to tend, in a physical sense; approximate: The flowers incline toward blue.
4. to tend in character or in course of action: a political philosophy that inclines toward the conservative.
5. to lean; bend.

—v.t.
1. to dispose (a person) in mind, habit, etc. (usually fol. by to): His attitude did not incline me to help him.
2. to bow, nod, or bend (the head, body, etc.): He inclined his head in greeting.
3. to cause to lean or bend in a particular direction.
4. incline one's ear, to listen, esp. willingly or favorably: to incline one's ear to another's plea.

—n.
1. an inclined surface; slope; slant.
2. Railroads.
a. Also called inclined plane, in'cline plane". a cable railroad, the gradient of which is approximately 45°.
b. any railroad or portion of a railroad, the gradient of which is too steep for ordinary locomotive adhesion alone to be effective.
3. Mining.
a. an angled shaft following a dipping vein.
b. an inclined haulageway.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

inclinatoryinclined
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