incline

Main Entry:: ¹in·cline
Pronunciation:: \in-ˈklīn\
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
Date:: 14th century

intransitive verb1: to bend the head or body forward : bow2: to lean, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion or course of conduct3: to deviate from a line, direction, or course ; specifically : to deviate from the vertical or horizontaltransitive verb1: to cause to stoop or bow : bend2: 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?>.

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