decline (dɪˈklaɪn
)
Definitions
verb
- to refuse to do or accept (something), esp politely
- (intr) to grow smaller; diminish ⇒
demand has declined over the years
- to slope or cause to slope downwards
- (intr) to deteriorate gradually, as in quality, health, or character
- grammar to state or list the inflections of (a noun, adjective, or pronoun), or (of a noun, adjective, or pronoun) to be inflected for number, case, or gender Compare conjugate (sense 1)
noun
- gradual deterioration or loss
- a movement downwards or towards something smaller; diminution
- a downward slope; declivity
- archaic any slowly progressive disease, such as tuberculosis
Alternative Forms
deˈclinable adjective deˈcliner nounWord Origin
C14: from Old French decliner to inflect, turn away, sink, from Latin dēclīnāre to bend away, inflect grammaticallySynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
fall,
fail,
drop,
contract,
lower,
sink,
flag,
fade,
shrink,
diminish,
decrease,
slow down,
fall off,
dwindle,
lessen,
wane,
ebb,
slacken,
Usage examples
I lectured on The Mysterious Stranger, the satanic offering of Twain's decline , a dark shudder of old age.
, Doubting Thomas (1986)The prime country house market experienced a very strong first half of 2004 and some decline in price growth was to be expected.
Country Life (2004)The companies will likely seek to avoid the bad publicity and stock decline Merrill suffered as a result of the probe, experts said.
Irish Times (2002)Textiles, clothing, and footwear stores saw a decline , although there was an increase in sales of household goods.
Glasgow Herald (2001)The more disrupted their sleep, the bigger the decline in their immune function.
, COUNTING SHEEP: The Science and Pleasures of Sleep and Dreams (2002)