GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Decline (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Declined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Declining.] [OE. declinen to bend down, lower, sink, decline (a noun), F. décliner 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.
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He . . . would decline even to the lowest of his family. Lady Hutchinson.
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Disdaining to decline,
Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries. Byron.
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The ground at length became broken and declined rapidly. Sir W. Scott.
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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.”
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That empire must decline
Whose chief support and sinews are of coin. Waller.
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And presume to know . . .
Who thrives, and who declines. Shak.
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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.”
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Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. Ps. cxix. 157.
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4. To turn away; to shun; to refuse; -- the opposite of accept or consent; as, “he declined, upon principle”.
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Declined (?), a. Declinate.
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