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inclination

inclination

1 5.1
A slight forward bend of the head or body to show respect
  • noun
  • /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/
translation icon : inclinación
  • The majordomo gave his head a curt inclination.
  • inclination of the head
  • slight inclination

Examples

  • She was going to open her mouth, but she glanced at the boy and closed it, and with a look and an inclination of the head, she bade Vicente go up the stairs.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The security chief acknowledged the kindness with a slight inclination of his head.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Ong gave a slight inclination of his head.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • For tourists, a simple inclination of the head or an attempt at a bow at the waist will usually suffice.

    Blog text (34)
  • He acknowledged her with a small, almost courtly inclination of his head.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • He spotted the hatchet-faced old woman waving one gloved and heavily ringed hand and favored her with a slight inclination of his head, acknowledging the hit.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • She acknowledged my greeting with a polite inclination of her head.

  • During the ceremony, the guest of honor made a graceful inclination of her head to the audience.

  • The teacher emphasized the importance of respect with a slight inclination of her head while listening.

Synonyms

tilt
vsinclination
12 2.8

A slant away from a straight or level position

is specifically a forward bending action often used as a gesture
deflection
vsinclination
4 6.0

How much an object bends or moves away from a straight line

is a forward bending gesture rather than a change of direction
tilt of someone's head
vsinclination
3.5

A small movement of the head to one side that shows curiosity or confusion

is a forward bending gesture rather than a sideways head movement
deflexion
vsinclination
9.7

Bending of a beam or other part so it is not straight

is a forward bending act often used as a gesture

Compounds

angle of inclination
  • Specialized
6.9

The tilt of a line measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis

magnetic inclination
  • Specialized
7.1

An angle between the Earth's magnetic field and the ground

9.5

The angle that shows how tilted an orbit is to Earth's path around the Sun

How Deep

genuflection
1 9.9
bow
53 1.0
inclination
1 5.1
nod
131 1.0

Surface Forms

inclination singular
inclinations plural

Morphology

inclination = incline (transparent) = incline + ation

A nominalization of the action 'to incline' indicating the act of bending or leaning, which is a direct morphological derivation.

Etymology

The word inclination comes from clinare 'to lean' and the part in- 'into', so it once meant a simple bend or lean. That's why an inclination can be a small lean or 'bow' of the head, a polite gesture.