Middle English Dictionary Entry

enclīnen v.
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Entry Info

Forms enclīnen v. Also in-.
Etymology OF encliner; L inclīnāre.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
To cause (something) to be in an oblique, slanting or prone position; to slope, tilt.
Show 7 Quotations
1b.
To be in, or assume, an oblique or slanting position; to slope, tilt, sag, bend down.
Show 3 Quotations
2a.
(a) To turn (something) aside from its course; cause to swerve, deviate or change; (b) to swerve or deviate.
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2b.
To direct or guide (someone or something).
Show 4 Quotations
3.
(a) To descend (from a horse), dismount; (b) to descend from heaven.
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4.
To let one's head or body slump forward; to droop, sag.
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5.
(a) To lower (sth.); (b) to bend down or bow (the head); (c) to lower or cast down (the eyes).
Show 7 Quotations
6.
To bend the head or body forward and downward, or go down on one's knees, in greeting, homage, worship, or prayer; bow; kneel;--intr. or refl.
Show 19 Quotations
7.
To direct (one's eyes, mind, attention, etc., to something).
Show 5 Quotations
8a.
To dispose or incline (a person, oneself, the heart, the mind, etc.) favorably toward some course of action; --often with to phrase or inf.
Show 17 Quotations
8b.
To turn with sympathy, favor, or approval (to some person, thing, or course of action); to be favorably disposed (toward something), to favor;--usually with to phrase or inf.
Show 14 Quotations
8c.
enclinen the ere(s, to give favorable or sympathetic attention (to a speaker or to something said); to lend an ear.
Show 6 Quotations
9.
To have a natural inclination, propensity, or bent (toward something); to be inclined (to do something).
Show 8 Quotations
10.
(a) To humble (pride); (b) to discourage (a person).
Show 2 Quotations
11.
To submit, yield, comply, or accede;--refl. and intr., usually with to phrase.
Show 12 Quotations
12.
Dwindle, decline.
Show 1 Quotation

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1460 Oseney Reg.68/8 : Þerfore, our beloued Soones in our lorde, to yowr ryȝghtfull praiers inclined, þe chapell of Seynte Thomas with his pertinences..by thapostels auctorite we conferme and with þe help of this writyng we make hit stronge.
    • Note: Quot. belongs to sense 8a.
    Note: Add to existent gloss: ppl. enclined, of a person: favorably disposed (to sth.).
    Note: This quot has been taken back to books.--notes per MLL
  • (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)32/6 : For I se yondir a kynge, one of the moste worshipfullyst and..the best knyghtes of the worlde be inclyned unto his felyship.
    • Note: Quot. belongs to sense 9.--per JR.
  • a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)55/24 : For-thy inclyne thy eres to mysayes and nede of the pore þat God may here thy prayere.
    • Note: Additional quot. for sense 8c.--per JR
    Note: This quot. has been taken back to books.--per MLL
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section is incomplete and needs revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED. Provisional revised form section : Also enclin(e, incline(n; p.sg.3 enclined, etc. & enclinet, (error) enchyned.--per MLL

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