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.
Phrases and idioms:
declining years old age.
Derivatives:
declinable adj. decliner n.
Etymology: ME f. OF decliner f. L declinare (as DE-, clinare bend)