cline

[ klahyn ]

/ klaɪn /

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noun

Biology. the gradual change in certain characteristics exhibited by members of a series of adjacent populations of organisms of the same species.

Linguistics. (in systemic linguistics) a scale of continuous gradation; continuum.

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Origin of cline

1935–40; <Greek klī́nein to lean¹

OTHER WORDS FROM cline

clinal, adjectiveclin·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby cline

clinch, clincher, clincher-built, clincher tire, clindamycin, cline, cling, clingfilm, clingfish, clinging vine, Clingmans Dome

Other definitions for cline (2 of 2)

Cline

[ klahyn ]

/ klaɪn /

noun

Patsy Virginia Patterson Hensley, 1932–63, U.S. country singer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use cline in a sentence

The officers saw Cline run out, but held off on trying to stop her in favor of following her further, according to court records.
Previously convicted bank robber allegedly hits new bank while under covert surveillance, gets arrested|Dan Morse|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Federal probation records showed that Cline lived within about a mile of both of the recent incidents.
Previously convicted bank robber allegedly hits new bank while under covert surveillance, gets arrested|Dan Morse|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
They searched Cline’s car and found $6,699, believed to be taken from the Wells Fargo, investigators said.
Previously convicted bank robber allegedly hits new bank while under covert surveillance, gets arrested|Dan Morse|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Cline’s stepmother told The Post at the time that Cline had been a “beautiful child” as a youngster and that the family did not know why Cline had been involved in the robberies.
Previously convicted bank robber allegedly hits new bank while under covert surveillance, gets arrested|Dan Morse|February 12, 2021|Washington Post

Cline walked in, authorities allege, and a minute later ran out.
Previously convicted bank robber allegedly hits new bank while under covert surveillance, gets arrested|Dan Morse|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
So, Cline officials courted state legislators and hired lobbyists.
The Secret Money Buying Wisconsin’s Laws|ProPublica|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In an interview, Buchen said several groups, including Cline and the WMC, gave input on the bill.
The Secret Money Buying Wisconsin’s Laws|ProPublica|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Patsy Cline singing the devastating “I Fall to Pieces” before dying in a plane crash at the age of 30.
The Mindy McCready I Knew|Laurence Leamer|February 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Three of the targets, Lefkofsky, Pegula, and Cline, were on the the Forbes 400, a list of the richest people in America.
How a No-Name Actor Tried to Extort Harvey Weinstein and Groupon’s Cofounder|Christine Pelisek|August 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Weinstein, who declined to comment on the case, was the first to receive a letter, followed by Cline on June 14.
How a No-Name Actor Tried to Extort Harvey Weinstein and Groupon’s Cofounder|Christine Pelisek|August 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Thanks to Mademoiselle Cline's drilling, I was pretty ready at "dicte," and after the first surprise, got along very well.
Rutledge|Miriam Coles Harris
Both his company and Cline's bivouacked in the town that night.
John Brown, Soldier of Fortune|Hill Peebles Wilson
Cline had softly shut the door behind the guest, but involuntarily he backed against it.
Vision House|C. N. Williamson
Cline moaned aloud, with a bleating noise, and gabbled argot as she tidied the belongings which Mademoiselle had flung everywhere.
Vision House|C. N. Williamson
"Take these things into the dressing-room, Cline," ordered Marise, tossing her gold bag and furs to the maid.
Vision House|C. N. Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for cline (1 of 3)

cline

/ (klaɪn) /

noun

a continuous variation in form between members of a species having a wide variable geographical or ecological range

Derived forms of cline

clinal, adjectiveclinally, adverb

Word Origin for cline

C20: from Greek klinein to lean

British Dictionary definitions for cline (2 of 3)

Cline

/ (klaɪn) /

noun

Patsy, original name Virginia Patterson Hensley . 1932–63, US country singer; her bestselling records include "Walking After Midnight", "I Fall to Pieces", and "Leavin' On Your Mind"

British Dictionary definitions for cline (3 of 3)

-cline

n combining form

indicating a slopeanticline

Derived forms of -cline

-clinal, adj combining form

Word Origin for -cline

back formation from incline

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for cline

cline

[ klīn ]

A gradual change in an inherited characteristic across the geographic range of a species, usually correlated with an environmental transition such as altitude, temperature, or moisture. For example, the body size in a species of warm-blooded animals tends to be larger in cooler climates (a latitudinal cline), while the flowering time of a plant may tend to be later at higher altitudes (an altitudinal cline). In species in which the gene flow between adjacent populations is high, the cline is typically smooth, whereas in populations with restricted gene flow the cline usually occurs as a series of relatively abrupt changes from one group to the next.