Library / English Dictionary

INCLINE

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An inclined surface connecting two levels

Synonyms:

incline; ramp

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("incline" is a kind of...):

inclined plane (a simple machine for elevating objects; consists of plane surface that makes an acute angle with the horizontal)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "incline"):

ski jump (a steep downward ramp from which skiers jump)

Derivation:

incline (be at an angle)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An elevated geological formation

Example:

the house was built on the side of a mountain

Synonyms:

incline; side; slope

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Hypernyms ("incline" is a kind of...):

formation; geological formation ((geology) the geological features of the earth)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "incline"):

ski slope (a snow-covered slope for skiing)

piedmont (a gentle slope leading from the base of a mountain to a region of flat land)

mountainside; versant (the side or slope of a mountain)

hillside (the side or slope of a hill)

escarpment; scarp (a long steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or ridge; usually formed by erosion)

declension; declination; decline; declivity; descent; downslope; fall (a downward slope or bend)

coast (a slope down which sleds may coast)

canyonside (the steeply sloping side of a canyon)

bank; camber; cant (a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force)

bank (sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water))

acclivity; ascent; climb; raise; rise; upgrade (an upward slope or grade (as in a road))

Holonyms ("incline" is a part of...):

elevation; natural elevation (a raised or elevated geological formation)

Derivation:

incline (be at an angle)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude or belief

Example:

Their language inclines us to believe them

Synonyms:

dispose; incline

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "incline" is one way to...):

determine; influence; mold; regulate; shape (shape or influence; give direction to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "incline"):

predispose (make susceptible)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE

Derivation:

inclination (an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others)

inclination (that toward which you are inclined to feel a liking)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Feel favorably disposed or willing

Example:

She inclines to the view that people should be allowed to expres their religious beliefs

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "incline" is one way to...):

experience; feel (undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be at an angle

Example:

The terrain sloped down

Synonyms:

incline; pitch; slope

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "incline" is one way to...):

angle; lean; slant; tilt; tip (to incline or bend from a vertical position)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "incline"):

ascend (slope upwards)

stoop (sag, bend, bend over or down)

fall (slope downward)

climb (slope upward)

dip (slope downwards)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

inclination (the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical)

inclination ((geometry) the angle formed by the x-axis and a given line (measured counterclockwise from the positive half of the x-axis))

inclination ((astronomy) the angle between the plane of the orbit and the plane of the ecliptic stated in degrees)

inclination ((physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon)

incline (an inclined surface connecting two levels)

incline (an elevated geological formation)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Lower or bend (the head or upper body), as in a nod or bow

Example:

She inclined her head to the student

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "incline" is one way to...):

bring down; get down; let down; lower; take down (move something or somebody to a lower position)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

inclination; inclining (the act of inclining; bending forward)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Bend or turn (one's ear) towards a speaker in order to listen well

Example:

He inclined his ear to the wise old man

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "incline" is one way to...):

hear; listen; take heed (listen and pay attention)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

inclining (the act of inclining; bending forward)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

Example:

He inclined to corpulence

Synonyms:

be given; incline; lean; run; tend

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "incline" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "incline"):

take kindly to (be willing or inclined to accept)

suffer (be given to)

gravitate (move toward)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Derivation:

inclination (a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect)

inclination (an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others)

inclination (that toward which you are inclined to feel a liking)

Credits

 Context examples: 

It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well inclined towards Captain Wentworth.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

He did not repeat his persuasion of their not marrying—and from that, I am inclined to hope, he might have been misunderstood before.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Mr. Woodhouse at last was off; but Mr. Knightley, instead of being immediately off likewise, sat down again, seemingly inclined for more chat.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

No doubt they want his professional services, but, having used him, they may be inclined to punish him for what they will regard as his treachery.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Von Schmidt was also inclined to be friendly, was Martin's conclusion from this unusual favor.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Despite insufficient evidence establishing the effectiveness of omega-3s, clinicians and their patients have been inclined to try the supplements for a variety of conditions with inflammatory components, including dry eye.

(Omega-3s from fish oil supplements no better than placebo for dry eye, National Institutes of Health)

“Foul play!” cried the lawyer, a good deal frightened and rather inclined to be irritated in consequence.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

My uncle inclined his lips to my ear.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

What with the steepness of the incline, the thick tree stumps, and the soft sand, he and his crutch were as helpless as a ship in stays.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Gravely and sternly he inclined his head to the prince, and took his place at the further end of the arena.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)