- Decline
- Decline De*cline", v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Declined}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Declining}.] [OE. declinen to bend down, lower, sink,
decline (a noun), F. d['e]cliner to decline, refuse, fr. L.
declinare to turn aside, inflect (a part of speech), avoid;
de- + clinare to incline; akin to E. lean. See {Lean}, v. i.]
1. To bend, or lean downward; to take a downward direction;
to bend over or hang down, as from weakness, weariness,
despondency, etc.; to condescend. ``With declining head.''
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
He . . . would decline even to the lowest of his family. --Lady Hutchinson. [1913 Webster]
Disdaining to decline, Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries. --Byron. [1913 Webster]
The ground at length became broken and declined rapidly. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
2. To tend or draw towards a close, decay, or extinction; to tend to a less perfect state; to become diminished or impaired; to fail; to sink; to diminish; to lessen; as, the day declines; virtue declines; religion declines; business declines. [1913 Webster]
That empire must decline Whose chief support and sinews are of coin. --Waller. [1913 Webster]
And presume to know . . . Who thrives, and who declines. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. To turn or bend aside; to deviate; to stray; to withdraw; as, a line that declines from straightness; conduct that declines from sound morals. [1913 Webster]
Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. --Ps. cxix. 157. [1913 Webster]
4. To turn away; to shun; to refuse; -- the opposite of accept or consent; as, he declined, upon principle. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
