de·cline (dĭ-klīn') v.
de·clined, de·clin·ing, de·clines
v.
intr.
To express polite refusal.
To slope downward; descend.
To bend downward; droop.
To sink, as the setting sun.
To draw to a gradual close; wane.
To degrade or lower oneself; condescend.
To deteriorate gradually; fail.
To sink, as the setting sun.
To draw to a gradual close; wane.
v.
tr.
To refuse politely: I declined their offer of help. See Synonyms at refuse1.
To cause to slope or bend downward.
Grammar To inflect (a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective) for number and case.
n.
The process or result of declining, especially a gradual deterioration.
A downward movement.
The period when something approaches an end.
A downward slope; a declivity.
A disease that gradually weakens or wastes the body.
[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 Indo-European roots.] de·clin'a·ble adj., de·clin'er n.
[di-klahy-nuh-buh
l] 