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Incline

1. To deviate from a line, direction, or course, toward an object; to lean; to tend; as, converging lines incline toward each other; a road inclines to the north or south.

2. To lean or tend, in an intellectual or moral sense; to favor an opinion, a course of conduct, or a person; to have a propensity or inclination; to be disposed. Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech. (judges ix. 3) Power finds its balance, giddy motions cease in both the scales, and each inclines to peace. (Parnell)

3. To bow; to incline the head.

Synonym: to lean, slope, slant, tend, bend.

Origin: oe. Inclinen, enclinen, OF. Encliner, incliner, f. Incliner, L. Inclinare; pref. In- in _ clinare to bend, incline; akin to E. Lean. See lean to incline.

1. To cause to deviate from a line, position, or direction; to give a leaning, bend, or slope to; as, incline the column or post to the east; incline your head to the right. Incline thine ear, O lord, and hear. (Is. Xxxvii. 17)

2. To impart a tendency or propensity to, as to the will or affections; to turn; to dispose; to influence. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies. (Ps. Cxix. 36) Incline our hearts to keep this law. (book of Com. Prayer)

3. To bend; to cause to stoop or bow; as, to incline the head or the body in acts of reverence or civility. With due respect my body i inclined. (Dryden)