dɪˈklaɪn v. & n. --v. 1 intr.
deteriorate;
lose strength or
vigour;
decrease. 2 a tr.
reply with formal courtesy that one will
not accept (an
invitation,
honour, etc.). b tr. refuse,
esp. formally
and courteously (declined to be
made use of; declined
doing anything). c tr.
turn away from (a
challenge,
battle,
discussion, etc.). d intr.
give or
send a
refusal. 3 intr.
slope downwards. 4 intr. bend down,
droop. 5 tr. Gram.
state the forms of (a
noun,
pronoun, or adjective) corresponding to cases,
number, and
gender. 6 intr. (of a
day,
life, etc.)
draw to a close. 7 intr. decrease in
price etc. 8 tr. bend down. --n. 1
gradual loss of vigour or
excellence (on the decline). 2
decay, deterioration. 3
setting; the last
part of the
course (of the
sun, of life, etc.). 4 a
fall in price. 5
archaic tuberculosis or a
similar wasting
disease. ødeclining years
old age. øødeclinable adj. decliner n. [ME f. OF decliner f. L declinare (as
DE-, clinare bend)]
