— incliner , n.
v. /in kluyn"/ ; n. /in"kluyn, in kluyn"/ , v. , inclined, inclining , 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.
6. to dispose (a person) in mind, habit, etc. (usually fol. by to ): His attitude did not incline me to help him.
7. to bow, nod, or bend (the head, body, etc.): He inclined his head in greeting.
8. to cause to lean or bend in a particular direction.
9. incline one's ear , to listen, esp. willingly or favorably: to incline one's ear to another's plea.
n.
10. an inclined surface; slope; slant.
11. Railroads.
a. Also called inclined plane, incline 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.
12. Mining.
a. an angled shaft following a dipping vein.
b. an inclined haulageway.
[ 1300-50; ME inclinen inclinare, equiv. to in- IN- 2 + -clinare to bend (see LEAN 1 ); r. ME enclinen ]
Syn. 1. lean, slope, rise, fall, pitch. 2. tend, lean. 3, 4 . verge, veer.