proˈclive, a. Obs. or arch.
[a. obs. F. proclive (16th c. in Littré), or ad. L. prōclīv-is (also -us) sloping, descending, inclined, prone, f. prō, pro-1 1 b + clīvus a slope.]
† 1. Sloping steeply forwards and downwards. Obs.
| 1524 Pace Let. to Hen. VIII in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) I. App. xi. 20 The Montens [were] so proclive in descence. 1606 G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstine xxiv. 90 The temple..is scituat vpon the Mount Parnassus, on the top of a cliffe from euery side and procliue steep down. |
2. a. Of persons: Inclined, prone, disposed; having a proclivity or inclination to or towards any course or action.
| 1536 Bellenden Cron. Scot. (1821) II. 120 The ingine of man is mair proclive and reddy to evil werkis than to gud. 1549 Latimer 1st Serm. bef. Edw. VI (Arb.) 34 A woman is frayll and procliue vnto all euels. 1601 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. (Qo. 1) ii. ii, As that land or nation best doth thriue, Which to smooth-fronted peace is most procliue. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. viii. §44 They incensed the Pope (too procliue of himselfe to set forth his owne greatnesse). 1706 E. Baynard in Sir J. Floyer Hot & Cold Bath. ii. (1709) 234 People were generally Faint, and proclive to Sweat. |
b. Of things: Leading or tending towards some course or action (usually one considered bad).
| 1563 Foxe A. & M. 55/1 Howe muche more prone and procliue I sawe the waye to hurt. 1653 Gataker Vind. Annot. Jer. 96 Astrologie..doth pave a plain and proclive path to Idolatry. |
3. Headlong, hasty, forward.
| 1609 B. Jonson Case is Altered i. iv, A foolish fellow, some⁓what proclive and hasty. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh iii. 756 In measure to the proclive weight and rush Of His inner nature. |
Hence † proˈcliveness, proclivity.
| 1623 T. Scot Highw. God 73, I speake not of them, which may pretend their excuse from the fraylty of our natures, and our procliuenes to sin. 1638 Penit. Conf. (1657) 298 The procliveness of mans nature to plunge into former sins. |