incline

2 entries found for incline.
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incline[1,verb] inclining

Main Entry: ¹in·cline
Pronunciation: in-'klIn
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): in·clined; in·clin·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French incliner, encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- + clinare to lean -- more at LEAN
intransitive verb
1 : to bend the head or body forward : BOW
2 : to lean, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion or course of conduct
3 : to deviate from a line, direction, or course; specifically : to deviate from the vertical or horizontal
transitive verb
1 : to cause to stoop or bow : BEND
2 : to have influence on : PERSUADE <his love of books inclined him toward a literary career>
3 : to give a bend or slant to
- in·clin·er noun
synonyms INCLINE, BIAS, DISPOSE, PREDISPOSE mean to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something. INCLINE implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions <I incline to agree>. BIAS suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice <the experience biased him against foreigners>. DISPOSE suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something <her nature disposes her to trust others>. PREDISPOSE implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself <does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?>.