incline: Meaning and Definition of

in•cline

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.

1. to dispose (a person) in mind, habit, etc. (usually fol. by to): His attitude did not incline me to help him.
2. to bow, nod, or bend (the head, body, etc.): He inclined his head in greeting.
3. to cause to lean or bend in a particular direction.
4. to listen, esp. willingly or favorably: to incline one's ear to another's plea.

1. an inclined surface; slope; slant.
1. Also calledinclined plane, in&prim;cline plane&sec;.a cable railroad, the gradient of which is approximately 45°.
2. any railroad or portion of a railroad, the gradient of which is too steep for ordinary locomotive adhesion alone to be effective.
1. an angled shaft following a dipping vein.
2. an inclined haulageway.