incline

in·cline • v. / inˈklīn/ 1. (be inclined to/toward/to do something) feel willing or favorably disposed toward (an action, belief, or attitude): he was inclined to accept the offer Lucy was inclined to a belief in original sin. ∎  (esp. as a polite formula) tend toward holding a specified opinion: I'm inclined to agree with you. ∎  [tr.] make (someone) willing or disposed to do something: his prejudice inclines him to overlook obvious facts. ∎  [intr.] feel favorably disposed to someone or something: I incline to the view that this conclusion is untenable. 2. (be inclined to/to do something) have a tendency to do something: she's inclined to gossip with complete strangers. ∎  have a specified disposition or talent: some people are very mathematically inclined. 3. [intr.] lean or turn away from a given plane or direction, esp. the vertical or horizontal: the bunker doors incline outward | [as adj.] (inclined) an inclined ramp. ∎  [tr.] bend (one's head) forward and downward. • n. / ˈinˌklīn/ an inclined surface or slope, esp. on a road, path, or railway: the road climbs a long incline through a forest. ∎  an inclined plane: the Hay Incline was built to raise boats from one canal level to another. DERIVATIVES: in·clin·a·ble adj. in·clin·er n.