verb , noun
■ verb / ɪnˈklaɪn; NAmE / ( formal )
1.
incline (sb) to / towards sth to tend to think or behave in a particular way; to make sb do this :
[ v ]
I incline to the view that we should take no action at this stage.
[ v to inf ]
The government is more effective than we incline to think.
[ vn ]
Lack of money inclines many young people towards crime.
[ vn to inf ]
His obvious sincerity inclined me to trust him.
2.
[ vn ] incline your head to bend your head forward, especially as a sign of agreement, welcome, etc.
3.
incline (sth) (to / towards sth) to lean or slope in a particular direction; to make sth lean or slope :
[ v ]
The land inclined gently towards the shore.
[also vn ]
■ noun
/ ˈɪnklaɪn/ ( formal ) a slope :
a steep / slight incline
••
WORD 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.