recline

[ri-klahyn]

See more synonyms for recline on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), re·clined, re·clin·ing.

to lean or lie back; rest in a recumbent position.

verb (used with object), re·clined, re·clin·ing.

to cause to lean back on something; place in a recumbent position.

Origin of recline

1375–1425; late Middle English reclinen < Latin reclīnāre, equivalent to re- re- + clīnāre to lean¹

Related formsre·clin·a·ble, adjectiverec·li·na·tion

[rek-luh-ney-shuh n] /ˌrɛk ləˈneɪ ʃən/, nounhalf-re·clined, adjectivehalf-re·clin·ing, adjectiveun·re·clined, adjectiveun·re·clin·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for recline

lounge, sprawl, loll, slope, lie, stretch, tip, lean, slant, rest, list, cant, repose, tilt, heel

Examples from the Web for recline

Contemporary Examples of recline

The incidents have sparked wide debate about whether passengers should opt to recline at all.
Solution to Seat Rage: No More Reclining
Will Doig
September 4, 2014
But of course someone always will recline her seat, like the people in the first row, or the woman in front of me, whom I hate.
Should People Stop Reclining Their Seats?
Megan McArdle
February 20, 2013

Historical Examples of recline

They lifted her into the carriage, and made what arrangements they best could to allow her to recline.
David Elginbrod
George MacDonald
To move, stand, or recline in an indolent or relaxed manner.
Scottish Ghost Stories
Elliott O'Donnell
Some straw had been spread on the bottom, and on this Caius was directed to recline.
The Mermaid
Lily Dougall
The kettle chooses to sit still on the hob; the eagle to recline on the air.
The Crown of Wild Olive
John Ruskin
At last I was permitted to get up and recline in fauteuil or on sofa.
Our Home in the Silver West
Gordon Stables

British Dictionary definitions for recline

recline

verb

to rest or cause to rest in a leaning position

Derived Formsreclinable, adjectivereclination (ˌrɛklɪˈneɪʃən), noun

Word Origin for recline

C15: from Old French recliner, from Latin reclīnāre to lean back, from re- + clīnāre to lean 1

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

Word Origin and History for recline

early 15c., from Old French recliner "rest, lay; bend, lean over" (13c.) and directly from Latin reclinare "to bend back, to lean back; cause to lean," from re- "back, against" (see re-) + clinare "to bend," from PIE *klei-n-, suffixed form of *klei "to lean" (see lean (v.)). Related: Reclined; reclining.

Recline is always as strong as lean, and generally stronger, indicating a more completely recumbent position, and approaching lie. [Century Dictionary]