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v. de·clined, de·clin·ing, de·clines v.intr. 1. To express polite refusal: I wanted to invite them but I was afraid they would decline. 2. a. To slope downward; descend: The roof declines at a steep angle. b. To bend downward; droop: boughs declining toward the ground. 3. To degrade or lower oneself; stoop: refused to decline to their level of behavior. 4. To deteriorate gradually; fail: His health has been declining for years. 5. a. To sink, as the setting sun. b. To draw to a gradual close: We made our way home as the day declined. v.tr. 2. To cause to slope or bend downward. 3. Grammar To inflect (a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective) for number and case. n. 1. The process or result of declining, especially: a. A gradual deterioration, as in numbers, activity, or quality: "overwhelming evidence that fish stocks ... are in decline" (Jonathan Bocknek). b. A downward movement or fall, as in price. c. A deterioration of health: the patient's rapid decline. 2. A downward slope; a declivity: the sharp decline of the dunes to the sea. [Middle English declinen, from Old French decliner, from Latin dēclīnāre, to turn away, bend downward, change the form of a word : dē-, de- + -clīnāre, to lean, bend; see klei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] de·clina·ble adj. de·cliner n. |
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