declinen.
/dᵻˈklʌɪn/, U.S. /dəˈklaɪn/, /diˈklaɪn/ 1.
a. The process of declining or sinking to a weaker or inferior condition; gradual loss of force, vigour, vitality, or excellence of quality; falling off, decay, diminution, deterioration. on the decline: in a declining state; declining, falling off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > fall from prosperous or thriving condition
rureOE
ebbingc1200
fallc1225
declinea1327
downfallingc1330
downfalla1400
fall of mana1400
wanea1400
ruinc1405
wrack1426
inclinationc1450
declination1533
labefactation1535
ebb1555
falling off1577
declining1581
inclining1590
declension1604
downset1608
neck-breaka1658
overseta1658
lapsing1665
reducement1667
lapse1680
labefaction1792
downshift1839
subsidence1839
downgrade1857
downturn1858
downslide1889
downswing1922
turn-down1957
tail-off1975
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [noun]
damage1300
declinea1327
ebbc1400
mischange1561
dotage1606
failancea1627
fallback1830
downgrade1857
slide1884
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > declining or falling off
declinea1327
fadea1400
paira1400
declining1481
vading1570
fall1590
hield1599
languishment1617
decay1636
defalcation1649
decidence1655
fall-off1676
falling off1761
fallaway1879
downswing1922
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [phrase] > falling off
on, upon the wane1548
on the decline1892
a1327 in Pol. Songs (Camden) 154 Al hit cometh in declyn this gigelotes geren.
c1430 J. Lydgate Story of Thebes iii. (R.) The high noblesse shall draw to decline Of Greekes blood.
1638 C. Aleyn Hist. Henrie VII 138 When Bodies cease to grow, 'tis the presage Of a decline to their decrepit Age.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 78. ⁋4 The Lady had actually lost one Eye, and the other was very much upon the Decline.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ix. 130 The decline of my daughter's health.
1776 E. Gibbon (title) History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. viii. 436 The ascendancy, decline, and final overthrow of the Mahrattas.
1892 Law Times 92 138/1 It is said that reading in barristers' chambers is on the decline.
b. Fallen or sunken condition. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > fall from prosperous or thriving condition > fallen condition
ruina1393
rot1581
declension1642
declinedness1648
downwardness1650
decayedness1702
decline1705
blast1795
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels I. 108 In the lowest Decline of Oppression and Disgrace, he was in no degree less worthy of Veneration than when in his highest Glory.
c. A gradual failure of the physical powers, as in the later years of life.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [noun] > weakening or decline in health
failinga1382
sickeninga1382
wasting1398
downhielda1400
dissolutionc1400
debilitationa1492
defailing1502
effeeblishing1540
faintingc1540
effeeblishment1545
enervationa1575
feeblishing1574
declining1588
decay1609
flagging1611
labefaction1620
feebling1624
sinking1625
deading1645
dejection1652
fail1654
emperiment1674
decline1770
sapping1825
breakdown1858
attenuation1868
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) I. 85/1 Numa..wasted away insensibly with old age and a gentle decline.
1801 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 5 545 A gradual decline had apparently begun.
d. Any disease in which the bodily strength gradually fails; esp. tubercular phthisis, consumption.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > wasting disease > [noun]
wasting1398
pininga1450
consumation1551
waste1570
marasmus1574
colliquation1601
marasme1612
decrement1646
wearing1654
unnourishment1662
decline1783
undermining1897
abiotrophy1902
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > wasting disease > [noun] > tuberculosis
decline1783
tubercle1795
tuberculation1822
tuberculization1823
tubercularization1839
tuberculosis1839
tuberculocele1858
white plague1860
tuberculid1868
tuberculoderma1881
white scourge1895
tubercule1901
white death1901
T.B.1912
1783 Gentleman's Mag. 53 ii. 1066 [Died] at his brother's at Enfield, of a deep decline, by bursting a blood-vessel in coughing.
1790 F. D'Ablay Diary Dec. (1842) V. 171 A general opinion that I was falling into a decline.
1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) I. 285 He fell into a rapid decline, and died prematurely.
1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days ii. i. 240 She said one of his sisters was like to die of decline.
1882 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Decline..applied to the later stages of phthisis pulmonalis. Also, a term for the condition formerly called Tabes.
e. Commerce. A downward movement or gradual fall in price or value.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > [noun] > prices of stocks and shares > fall or tendency to fall
downdraught1852
decline1885
dip1892
depreciation1900
downside1905
retreat1916
downside potential1938
1885 Manch. Guardian 20 July 5/5 The decline in the value of labour has not hitherto kept pace with that of commodities and property.
1887 Daily News 23 Feb. 2/6 560 bags Demerara syrups at 6d decline.
1893 Daily News 25 Dec. 7/3 The market was weak, but declines were unimportant.
f. That stage of a disease at which the symptoms begin to abate.
ΚΠ
1848 R. Dunglison Med. Lexicon (ed. 7) Decline.
2.
a. Of the sun or day: The action of sinking towards its setting or close.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > evening > [noun] > sunset
sunsetOE
settle-gangc1000
evensongc1330
sun going downa1382
setc1386
decline14..
sun restc1405
sun gate down1440
sunsetting1440
sun sitting?a1475
falling1555
sunsetting1575
downsetting1582
sunfall1582
declining1588
sun go down1595
tramontation1599
vail1609
daylight gate1613
sundown1620
set of day1623
dayset1633
day shutting1673
sky setting1683
sun-under1865
14.. Epiph. in Tundale's Vis. 103 Westryng or drawyng to declyne.
a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. Hiii Where Phœbus..kisses Thetis in the daies decline.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 792 This Eevning from the Sun's decline arriv'd. View more context for this quotation
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time II. x. 259 At dawn, at mid-day, and decline.
b. In the decline of life there is a mixture of senses 1, 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > age > old age > [noun]
eld971
old agec1330
agec1380
last agea1382
oldc1385
aldereldea1400
winterc1425
vilessec1430
annosityc1450
senectute1481
the black ox1546
golden years1559
years1561
great1587
afterlife1589
setting sun1597
antiquity1600
chair-daysa1616
the vale of yearsa1616
grandevity1623
green old age1634
eldship1647
senioritya1688
the other side of the hill1691
the decline of life1711
senectude1756
senility1791
senectitude1796
post-climacteric1826
Anno Domini1885
senium1911
golden age1946
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 2. ⁋5 A Gentleman who according to his Years should be in the Decline of his Life.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 269 The king and his heir were nearly of the same age. Both were approaching the decline of life.
3. A downward incline, a slope. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [noun] > downward
downhielda1400
descencec1425
descent1485
descending1490
downfall1542
pitch1542
downhill1548
declinea1552
falling1565
stoop1611
declivitya1613
devergence1727
downslope1855
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) II. 16 Farington, standing in a stony Ground in the Decline of an Hille.
1844 Mechanics' Mag. 40 397 The frightful precipitation of a railway train down a decline.
1859 R. F. Burton Lake Regions Central Afr. in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 29 237 On the declines, more precipitous than Swiss terraces, manioc and cereals grow luxuriantly.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
declinev.
/dᵻˈklʌɪn/, U.S. /dəˈklaɪn/, /diˈklaɪn/ I. Intransitive senses.
* To turn aside, deviate.† 1. † b. To turn aside from (anything) so as to avoid it: cf. the transitive sense in sense 13. Obsolete.† 2. † b. Dialling. Of a vertical plane: To have an aspect oblique to the prime vertical or to the meridian; to have declination n. (sense 10). Obsolete.† c. Of the magnetic needle: To deviate from the true north and south line; cf. declination n. 8.† 3. figurative.† b. To turn aside from the subject, in speaking or writing; to digress. Obsolete.† c. Of things: To diverge, deviate (in character, excellence, etc.) from. Obsolete.† 4. figurative. To incline or lean to. Obsolete.
a. To turn or bend aside; to deviate (from the straight course); to turn away. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement [verb (intransitive)] > diverge from course
bowa1000
swervec1330
wrya1350
crookc1380
to turn asidea1382
depart1393
decline14..
wryc1400
divert1430
desvoy1481
wave1548
digress1552
prevaricate1582
yaw1584
to turn off1605
to come off1626
deviate1635
sag1639
to flinch out1642
deflect1646
de-err1657
break1678
verge1693
sheera1704
to break off1725
lean1894
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > erring > [verb (intransitive)] > from or into
befallc897
decline14..
scrithe1434
14.. Epiph. in Tundale's Vis. 122 No thyng may be hyd from thy presence Ne from thyne eye declyne ne astart.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 333 Now rech I neuer for to declyne, Ne how fer of folde þat man me fleme.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. 65v/2 Dauid said what haue I doo..And declyned fro hys brother to other of the peple.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. i. f. 1v Colonus directynge his viage towarde the weste..declining somwhat towarde the left hande, sayled on forwarde xxxiii. dayes.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vi. 291 Againe night we declined towards Gaza.
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 56 Here we began to decline from the Sea Coast.
1701 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 3) i. 60 A line..much declining from the Object.
1778 R. Lowth Isaiah (ed. 12) 55 Turn aside from the way; decline from the straight path.
1839 J. Lingard Hist. Eng. (ed. 4) XI. 286 The few individuals who ventured abroad..when they met, declined on opposite sides, to avoid the contact of each other.
ΚΠ
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. avv We can nat beare the presence of our neybour..but declyne from his company.
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments f. 723v Naturally euery creature declineth gladly from that thyng which goth about to hurt it.
a. Astronomy and Geography. To deviate, diverge, or fall away from the equator (formerly also, from the ecliptic); to have declination n. (sense 8). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > heavenly body > position of heavenly body > [verb (intransitive)] > decline
declinec1400
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §17. 28 The Ecliptik lyne; fro which lyne alle Planetes som tyme declinen north or south.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §21. 13 Þat on half [of the Zodiac] declinith sowthward, & þat other northward.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 200 Iaua is an Ile..declining seuen degrees from the Æquator towards the Antarctique Pole.
1715 tr. D. Gregory Elements Astron. I. ii. §41. 331 At London the Least Twilight is when the Sun declines from the Equator towards the South 6d 7′.
ΚΠ
1593 T. Fale Horologiographia f. 4 The East and West are not said to decline, because the declination is accounted from the south and North to the direct East and West points.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. vii. x. 15 AB is a Wall or Plane declining East..so much as the Wall bendeth from the East Azimuth, so much doth his Pole at P decline or bend from the Meridian.
1703 Moxon's Mech. Dyalling (ed. 4) in Moxon's Mech. Exercises (new ed.) 311 The South Erect Plane, declining more or less towards the East or West.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [verb (intransitive)] > deviate (of needle)
decline1662
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 180 In that place the needle declin'd 22 degrees from the North, towards the West.
1674 R. Boyle Excellency Theol. ii. v. 215 The magnetick needle not onely declining in many places from the true points of N. and S. but..varying in tract of time its declination in the self-same place.
a. To turn aside in conduct; esp. to swerve or fall away (from rectitude, duty, allegiance, instructions, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose [verb (intransitive)] > desert one's party or principles
declinec1374
starta1450
revert?a1525
to fall away1535
to turn (one's) tippet1546
revolt1549
shrink1553
to turn one's coat1565
to come over1576
apostate1596
to change (one's) sides1596
defect1596
renegade1611
to change foot1618
to run over1643
to face about1645
apostatize1648
tergiverse1675
tergiversate1678
desert1689
apostasize1696
renegado1731
rat1810
to cross the floor1822
turncoat1892
to take (the) soup1907
turn1977
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. vii. 145 Of hem þat eschewen and declinen fro vices and taken þe weye of vertue.
c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. xx. 24 Ner lete hem not liȝtly decline to outwarde consolacions.
c1450 W. Lichefeld Complaint of God (Lamb. 853) l. 506 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 223 Alas, whi..so vnkyndeli from þee declynne Þat oure god art so gracious.
1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 1 §2 Persones..which shall hereafter declyne from..their seid alliegeaunce.
1558 J. Knox First Blast against Monstruous Regiment Women f. 31 Frome the highest to the lowest, all were declined frome the.
a1580 Farrant's Anthem, ‘Lord, for thy tender mercies' sake’ Give us grace to amend our sinful lives, to decline from sin and incline to virtue.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms cxix. 157 Yet doe I not decline from thy testimonies. View more context for this quotation
a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) vi. 352 They declined from the worship of this Eternal Invisible God.
1749 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage II. 201 He had formed a Design..of declining from his Instructions.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > be copious [verb (intransitive)] > digress
overleapc1400
to cast, fet, fetch, go, take a compass?a1500
digress1530
traverse1530
decline?1543
square1567
rovea1575
deviate1638
to step aside1653
swerve1658
to sally out1660
transgress1662
to run off1687
canceleera1697
cantona1734
excurse1748
to travel out of the record1770
divagate1852
desult1872
sidetrack1893
?1543 T. Phaer tr. N. de Houssemaine Treat. Pestilence i. f. xxviiiv, in tr. J. Goeurot Regiment of Lyfe Here I haue declyned by occasion, but nowe to our entent.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ix. xvii. 325 a I have nothing lesse sought..than to digresse and decline [L. declinarem] more than was needfull, from the order and course of mine historie.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > be different [verb (intransitive)]
diversec1384
discorda1387
swervea1400
differ?c1400
varyc1400
differencec1425
square?c1450
abhor1531
repugna1538
dissent1539
recede1570
discrepate1590
ablude1610
decline1615
to stand offa1616
particularize1637
distinguish1649
deviate1692
to stand apart1709
veer1796
to be a long way from1917
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 12 There is a Bannia, which little declines from the state of a Temple.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 174 Nor doth thy last alleaged excuse..decline any whit from thy other reasons.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)]
wryc888
driveOE
drawc1175
rine?c1225
soundc1374
tendc1374
lean1398
clinea1400
movec1450
turnc1450
recline?a1475
covet1520
intend?1521
extenda1533
decline?1541
bow1562
bend1567
follow1572
inflecta1575
incline1584
warpa1592
to draw near1597
squint1599
nod1600
propend1605
looka1616
verge1664
gravitate1673
set1778
slant1850
trend1863
tilt1967
?1541 R. Copland Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens ii. sig. Givv It is set in the myddes of the brest, nat declynynge to one parte more than to another.
1580 J. Frampton tr. N. Monardes Bk. Medicines agaynst Venome in Ioyfull Newes (new ed.) f. 127 The Bezaar stone is..full of spottes, declining to the colour of a sad blewe.
1580 J. Frampton tr. N. Monardes Dial. Yron in Ioyfull Newes (new ed.) f. 151v Yron..doth more decline to be hot then colde.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 44 Your weeping sister is no wife of mine..Farre more, farre more, to you doe I decline . View more context for this quotation
a1636 Holland in Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (1890) That purple luster..declineth in the end to the color of wine.
1671 tr. J. de Palafox y Mendoza Hist. Conquest of China by Tartars xi. 230 It was quickly perceived to which side the victory declined.
5. Not to consent or agree (to do something); to refuse. See sense 14.
** To slope, incline, or bend downward.† 8. † b. To descend in lineage. Obsolete. rare.
6. To deviate from the horizontal or vertical position; to have a downward inclination, to slant or slope downward.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > incline or be oblique [verb (intransitive)] > slope > downwards
descendc1400
declinec1420
fall1573
cope1601
devall1632
dip1665
drip1678
siddle1894
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 298 On south and este se that it [the land] faire enclyne..But from the colde Septemptrion declyne.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 202 Some plaine place..declining, by the space of some foure or fiue furlongs.
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 152 The ground on each side declining gently.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 86 The Way..having first mounted gently a green pleasant Slope..declined again.
1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. i. i. 8 Table-land which..gradually declines in the higher latitudes of the north.
7. To bend down, bow down, droop.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > move downwards [verb (intransitive)] > bend down
stoopc893
bowOE
aloutOE
fold13..
bendc1374
courbe1377
curb1377
inclinec1390
declinea1400
nuzzlec1450
buckle1600
doup1694
huckle1854
overbend1856
a1400–50 Alexander (Dublin) 2289 ‘My louely Lord’, quod þe lede, and law he declynes.
1598 S. Rowlands Betraying of Christ 4 As a fruitfull tree the more it is fruitladen, the more it declineth.
a1631 J. Donne Βιαθανατος (1647) iii. iv. §5 Our heads decline after our death by the slacknesse of the sinews and muscles.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ii. 49 The wearisome creatures of the world declining to their rest.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. viii. 279 His Eyes were eagerly fixed on Sophia, and hers declining towards the Ground. View more context for this quotation
1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles I. i. 10 Declining from his sitting position..[he] stretched himself..among the daisies.
a. To come down, fall, descend, sink. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > move downwards [verb (intransitive)]
styc825
astyc975
alightOE
to fall adownOE
hieldc1275
downcomea1300
sink?a1300
avalec1374
to go downa1375
to come downc1380
dipc1390
descenda1393
clinea1400
declinea1400
downc1400
inclinec1400
vailc1400
fallc1440
devall1477
condescendc1485
to get down1567
lower1575
dismount1579
to fall down1632
down?1701
demount1837
a1400–50 Alexander (Ashm.) 2714 He þat enhansis him to heȝe, þe heldire he declynes.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 481 His sword Which was declining on the milkie head Of reuerent Priam, seem'd i' th ayre to stick.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > descendant > be descended [verb (intransitive)]
comeOE
springa1200
ofspringc1300
to be descended (from, of)1399
to run of ——?a1400
descenda1413
proceed?a1439
issuea1450
to come downc1450
outspringa1547
decline1598
1598 B. Yong tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 98 On th' one side Dukes most excellent decline, And from the other scepter, throne, and crowne.
9.
a. Of the sun or other heavenly body: To descend in the sky after culmination; to sink towards setting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > heavenly body > movement of heavenly bodies > move [verb (intransitive)] > set
setc1300
descendc1392
declinec1430
resconse1503
stoop?1615
c1430 J. Lydgate Compl. Black Knight xcii Er that thy bemes go up to declyne, And er that thou now go fro us adoune.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) x. xiv. 193 Be this the son declynyt was almost.
1609 S. Rowlands Famous Hist. Guy Earle of Warwick 22 The Sun declines, day ancient grows.
1812 R. Woodhouse Elem. Treat. Astron. xxx. 299 As the Moon, having passed the meridian, declines.
1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 18 The sun was beginning to decline.
b. transferred. Said of the day (evening, etc.), also figurative of one's life: To draw towards its close. (Often with mixture of sense 11.)
ΚΠ
1697 [implied in: J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 130 Nor end their Work, but with declining Day.
1705 F. Fuller Medicina Gymnastica 121 When People decline in Years, there are some extraordinary means requisite.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 154 The day declined.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) I. 152/1 The summer was now declining.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxi. 94 The day declines. Forth, fair bride.
10. figurative. To fall morally or in dignity, to sink (to evil courses, etc., or to an unworthy object). (Now only literary, and after Shakespeare.)
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degenerate [verb (intransitive)]
afallOE
fallOE
out of kinda1375
degender1539
degenerate1553
decline1604
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) lxiv. 279 But that in no wise from hens forward he declyn to synne agayn.
1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 485 Many of the elect do decline to vices.]
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. v. 50 O Hamlet, what falling off was there From me whose loue was of that dignitie..and to decline Vppon a wretch whose naturall gifts were poore, To those of mine. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 97 Yet somtimes Nations will decline so low From vertue. View more context for this quotation
1691 E. Taylor J. Behmen's Theosophick Philos. xx. 30 The direful shameful state Adam declined into.
1711 J. Swift Sentiments Church of Eng.-man ii, in Misc. Prose & Verse 148 He declines..from his Office of presiding over the whole, to be the Head of a Party.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Locksley Hall in Poems (new ed.) II. 96 Having known me—to decline On a range of lower feelings and a narrower heart than mine!
11. figurative. To fall off or fail in force, vigour, or vitality; to decay, wane, diminish, decrease; to fall from prosperity or excellence, to deteriorate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > be in adversity [verb (intransitive)] > fall from prosperous or thriving condition
afalleOE
wanec1000
fallOE
ebba1420
to go backward?a1425
to go down?1440
decay1483
sink?a1513
delapsea1530
reel1529
decline1530
to go backwards1562
rue1576
droop1577
ruina1600
set1607
lapse1641
to lose ground1647
to go to pigs and whistles1794
to come (also go) down in the world1819
to peg out1852
to lose hold, one's balance1877
to go under1879
toboggan1887
slip1930
to turn down1936
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [verb (intransitive)]
worseeOE
aswindc885
worsena1250
appair1340
impair1340
fainta1375
pairc1390
vade1471
decay1511
decline1530
degenerate1545
lapse1641
addle1654
sunset1656
deteriorate1758
worst1781
descend1829
disimprove1846
slush1882
devolute1893
worser1894
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > decrease in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (intransitive)] > decline or fall off
afalleOE
swindOE
slakec1315
pairc1390
fade1398
to fall awayc1510
decline1530
to fall off1608
sink1613
recess1641
fail1819
lighten1827
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 508/2 Whan thynges be at the hyghest, than they begyn to declyne.
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. II. iii. x. sig. Rr.vv/1 After the subuersion of Hierusalem, the Romane Empire beganne to decline.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 182 Your health, which I feare is already declining.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. i. 191 Who's like to rise, Who thriues, & who declines . View more context for this quotation
1664 E. Waller Upon War with Spain in Poems (ed. 2) 193 That Empire must decline, Whose chief support and sinnewes are of coyn.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 84 When Autumnal Warmth declines . View more context for this quotation
1728 E. Young Love of Fame: Universal Passion (ed. 2) v. 517 She grants, indeed, a lady may decline (All ladies but herself) at ninety-nine.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. viii. 675 The net territorial revenues..instead of increasing, had actually declined.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxvi. 107 Eva, after this, declined rapidly: there was no more any doubt of the event.
1888 ‘M. Robertson’ Lombard St. Myst. iv. 50 Mr. Alldis had declined considerably in his estimation.
II. Transitive senses.
* To cause to turn aside, to avert; to turn aside from, avoid, refuse.† 12. To turn aside (literal and figurative):† b. To turn (a person) aside from or to a course of conduct, from duty, etc.; to divert. Obsolete.† c. In physical sense: To cause to deviate, deflect (from a straight course, etc.). Obsolete.† d. reflexive. To withdraw oneself, turn away. Obsolete.† 13. To turn aside from; to get or keep out of the way of; to avoid, shun. Obsolete (or merged in 13.)† 15. Scots Law. To refuse, disown, or formally object to the jurisdiction of (a judge or court). Cf. declinator n.2, declinature n. 1 ? Obsolete.† 16. To abandon, forsake, give up (a practice).
a. To avert.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > obviate > prevent the occurrence of or avert
werec925
withsitc1300
shun1338
to turn awaya1382
forfend1382
declinec1430
stopa1538
divert1548
refract1563
withturn1563
antevert1583
avert1586
pervert1594
deprive1627
averruncate1663
stave1664
to stop off1891
c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) vi. iv. 151 a For remedies..Was prouided theyr malice to declyne.
1606 P. Holland in tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars Annot. 25* Counterfeiting a woman, thereby to decline suspicion.
1638 A. Cowley Loves Riddle v. sig. F1 Thankes to the juster Deityes for declining From both the danger, and from me the sin.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Yorks. 205 Here Iohnson lies: could Physick fence deaths dart, Sure death had bin declined by his art.
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 31. ⁋5 Subterfuges and evasions are sought to decline the pressure of resistless arguments.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > turn aside from > cause to
writhea1400
wrya1400
reflecta1500
reverta1500
withstand1508
reversec1540
declinea1555
evert1569
deflecta1575
divert1609
bias1628
blank1640
avert1697
shunt1858
sidetrack1887
ride1908
a1555 H. Latimer in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1563) 1310/2 Ye praying of them which declyneth their eare from hearyng the lawe of God is execrable in ye sight of God.
1610 J. Donne Pseudo-martyr vi. 185 The immensnesse..auerts me from beleeuing it to bee iust, so doeth this also decline me, that they will not bee brought to tell vs, [etc.].
a1625 J. Fletcher Valentinian iii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Bbbbbbb2v/1 Nor any way decline you to discredit.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 175 When I would doe good, I am in the meane while declined to evill.
c1634 Strafford in Browning Life (1890) 129 This alliance shall not decline me from those more sovereign duties I owe my master.
1658 H. Slingsby Diary (1836) 207 Sundry disputes with sinewy Arguments to decline my opinion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > cause to deviate from course
charec1000
wrencha1200
turnc1275
to turn againc1330
swerve1390
wrya1400
reflectc1425
traverse1438
to turn aside1535
deduce1541
divert1548
to turn off1573
wrig1582
react1599
deflect1615
slent1639
decline1646
deviate1660
to wind off1677
sway1678
warp1814
switch1861
baffle1883
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica ii. ii. 59 Contrary poles or faces attract each other, as the North the South, and the like decline each other, as the North the North. View more context for this quotation
1692 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. ii. 35 A Byas, that may decline it a little from a straight Line.
1692 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. v. 8 How can he conceive, that any parcel of dead Matter can spontaneously divert and decline it self from the line of its motion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > absent oneself [verb (reflexive)]
absenta1450
prolong1591
decline1641
1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia (new ed.) 31 [Rawleigh] undertook a new peregrination to leave..the Court..and by declining himself, and by absence to expell his, and the passion of his enemies.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun
overboweOE
bibughOE
fleea1000
forbowa1000
ashun1000
befleec1000
beflyc1175
bischunc1200
withbuwe?c1225
waive1303
eschew1340
refuse1357
astartc1374
sparec1380
shuna1382
void1390
declinea1400
forbeara1400
shurna1400
avoidc1450
umbeschewc1485
shewe1502
evite1503
devoid1509
shrink1513
schew?a1534
devite1549
fly1552
abstract1560
evitate1588
estrange1613
cut1791
shy1802
skulk1835
side-slip1930
to walk away from1936
punt1969
a1400–50 Alexander 4263 All þat ouire mesure is to mekill emell we declyne.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Ciiiv What company to vse, & whome to decline & eschewe.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 582 Except they meet them in some path waie where the man cannot decline the beast, nor the beast the man.
1656 J. Trapp Comm. Matt. vii. 13 Certain dangerous rocks..carefully to be declined.
1705 C. Purshall Ess. Mechanism Macrocosm 145 In Autumn, when the Sun declines us, and its Tendency is towards the Southern Hemisphere.
a1711 T. Ken Preparatives for Death in Wks. (1721) IV. 49 Guilty sinners, self-condemn'd, Despairing to decline their Fate.
1761 New Companion Fest. & Fasts xx. §2. 177 When the fire of persecution breaks out among us, we have our Lord's permission by all prudent and honourable methods to decline it.
14.
a. To turn away from (anything suggested or presenting itself) as from a thing which one is unwilling to take up, undertake, or engage in; to withhold oneself from; not to consent to engage in, practise, or do. Now only with nouns of action: to decline a discussion, contest, challenge, etc.: cf. 14c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > choose not to do
forsake?c1225
decline1631
to opt out of1970
1631 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 58 That Sr Arthur Savage should humbly acknowledge that he had committed a great offence..Sr Arthur declyned this acknowledgement.
1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §6 I have no Genius to disputes in Religion, and have often thought it wisedome to decline them. View more context for this quotation
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland (1691) 320 Declining all military means of settling and securing Ireland in peace and plenty.
c1750 Johnson Melissa..gained the victory by declining the contest.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. xxviii. 206 What must the man have been that had declined his aid in a distress so alarming.
1786 E. Burke Articles of Charge against W. Hastings 303 Bristow, declining the violent attempt on the life of Almas Ali, deceitfully ordered by the said Warren Hastings.
1793 E. Burke Observ. Conduct Minority in Two Lett. Conduct Domestick Parties (1797) 37 To throw an odium upon those who are obliged to decline the cause of justice from their impossibility of supporting a cause which they approve.
1806 T. S. Surr Winter in London I. i. 11 The fisherman..at one moment was on the point of setting out for Brighton immediately, and the next declined it till the morning.
1824 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 407 I decline all newspaper controversy.
1848 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. xiv They far more readily forgive a commander who loses a battle than a commander who declines one.
b. Not to consent or agree to doing, or to do (something suggested, asked, etc.); hence, practically = refuse v.1: but without the notion of active repulse or rejection conveyed by the latter word, and therefore a milder and more courteous expression. (Constr. vbl. n., infinitive; also absol. or intransitive.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)]
warnc897
willeOE
forbidc1000
warnc1000
willOE
asake1250
withsay1297
gainsayc1330
recusea1387
naitc1390
to say naya1393
again-say?a1400
denyc1400
withnayc1400
biwern1413
refuse?1435
resist1539
detrect1542
renege1545
detract1572
waive1642
declinea1691
nay-say1762
nay-saya1774
nix1903
off1908
ixnay1937
a1691 R. Boyle Firmness in Wks. (1772) I. 413 That would not be to render a reason of the thing proposed, but, in effect, to decline rendering any.
1696 tr. J. Dumont New Voy. Levant 288 I cannot reasonably decline giving Credit to a Thing..so often confirm'd.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 143. ⁋14 Provided he declines to tread in their footsteps.
1864 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia IV. xvi. xv. 491 I declined satisfying his curiosity.
1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 12 Jan. 3/2 The Archbishop..declined to accept their apology.
1894 N.E.D. at Decline Mod. He was invited, but declined. Shall we accept or decline?
c. Not to accept (something offered); implying polite or courteous refusal.
ΚΠ
1716 J. Addison in Freeholder 2 Mar. in Wks. (c1888) IV. 475 She generously declined them [the glories of this world], because she saw the acceptance of them was inconsistent with religion.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 157 As the 'squire said they could not decently decline his visit, he was shewn up stairs.
1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) vii. 84 Being aware of this, Allen would have declined the gift.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) IV. xxxiii. 312 Ariæus declined the offer of the Greeks.
1884 G. Allen Philistia III. 18 Writing magazine articles..which were invariably declined with thanks.
d. Chess. To refuse to take a piece or pawn offered in (a gambit).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > board game > chess > [verb (transitive)] > tactics
to shut up1474
to take upc1475
neck1597
catch1674
to discover check1688
attack1735
retreat1744
fork1745
pin1745
retake1750
guard1761
interpose1761
castle1764
retract1777
to take (a pawn) en passant1818
capture1820
decline1847
cook1851
undouble1868
unpin1878
counter1890
fidate1910
sacrifice1915
fianchetto1927
1833 W. Lewis Progr. Less. Chess (ed. 2) 138 King's Gambit... The best move for the Black is to take your K.B.P.; but he may decline doing so.]
1847 H. Staunton Chess-player's Handbk. iv. x. 347 (heading) The gambit declined.
1875 G. H. D. Gossip Chess-player's Man. 705 The Queen's Gambit accepted and declined.
1899 E. E. Cunnington How to play Chess 48 P–QKt4, offering the sacrifice of a P. to get an attack. Black need not take it (he may retreat the B to Kt3), in which case the Opening is called the Evans declined.
ΚΠ
?a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Sheep & Dog l. 1194 in Poems (1981) 49 Thairfoir as iuge suspect I ȝow declyne.
1638 Short Relat. State Kirk Scotl. 11 The Supplicants declined the Bishops from being their Iudges, as beeing now their parties.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 113 He would not appear, but declined the King and his Council, who, he said, were not proper judges of matters of doctrine.
1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. i. ii. 17 A judge may be declined, 1. ratione causae, from his incompetency to the special cause brought before him.
1861 G. Ross W. Bell's Dict. Law Scotl. (rev. ed.) at Declinature A judge who is a partner in a trading company may be declined in a question where the interest of that company is concerned.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)]
leaveeOE
forsakec1175
waive1340
twinc1386
refuse1389
to set aside1426
relinquish1454
abuse1471
renouncec1480
disaccustom1483
to break from1530
to lay aside1530
disprofess1590
dropa1616
to set bya1674
decline1679
unpractise?1680
slough1845
shake1872
sluff1934
kick1936
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants ii. 74 The Christians had declin'd the Simplicity of their own Religion and grew Curious and Wanton.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Anat. Ireland (1691) 100 As for the Interest of these poorer Irish, it is manifestly to be transmuted into English..to decline their Language.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 317 Herodotus, Dionysius Halic. &c. had great reason to decline the use of their vernacular Tongue, as improper for History.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiv. viii. 171 Having acquired a very good Fortune, he had lately declined his Business. View more context for this quotation
** To cause to bend down, descend, or slope.† 18. To lower, bring down, depress, bring low, degrade, debase. literal and figurative. Obsolete.† 20. To undervalue, disparage, depreciate. Obsolete.
17. † b. To move or direct obliquely downwards.
a. To bend down, bow down, lean.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bend down
bowc1275
declinea1400
incline?a1425
deject1601
to bend the heada1652
a1400–50 Alexander 5322 And hitterly on ilk side his heued he declines.
1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses sig. Eii As they can verie hardly eyther stoupe downe, or decline them selues to the grounde.
1706 J. Potter Archæologia Græca (ed. 2) II. iv. v. 202 Another Token of Dejection was to decline their Heads upon their Hands.
1814 R. Southey Roderick xvii He sate with folded arms and head declined Upon his breast.
1853 W. C. Bryant Poems (new ed.) 92 The clover droops..and declines its blooms.
ΚΠ
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. ix. 309 And now faire Phœbus gan decline in haste His weary wagon to the Westerne vale.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 145 His good old Sire with sorrow to the tomb Declines his trembling steps.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > humiliation > humiliate [verb (transitive)]
anitherOE
fellOE
lowc1175
to lay lowc1225
to set adownc1275
snuba1340
meekc1350
depose1377
aneantizea1382
to bring lowa1387
declinea1400
meekenc1400
to pull downc1425
avalec1430
to-gradea1440
to put downc1440
humble1484
alow1494
deject?1521
depress1526
plucka1529
to cut (rarely to cast down) the comb of?1533
to bring down1535
to bring basec1540
adbass1548
diminish1560
afflict1561
to take down1562
to throw down1567
debase1569
embase1571
diminute1575
to put (also thrust) a person's nose out of jointc1576
exinanite1577
to take (a person) a peg lower1589
to take (a person) down a peg (or two)1589
disbasea1592
to take (a person) down a buttonhole (or two)1592
comb-cut1593
unpuff1598
atterr1605
dismount1608
annihilate1610
crest-fall1611
demit1611
pulla1616
avilea1617
to put a scorn on, upon1633
mortify1639
dimit1658
to put a person's pipe out1720
to let down1747
to set down1753
humiliate1757
to draw (a person's) eyeteeth1789
start1821
squabash1822
to wipe a person's eye1823
to crop the feathers of1827
embarrass1839
to knock (also take, etc.) (a person) off his or her perch1864
to sit upon ——1864
squelch1864
to cut out of all feather1865
to sit on ——1868
to turn down1870
to score off1882
to do (a person) in the eye1891
puncture1908
to put (a person) in (also into) his, her place1908
to cut down to size1927
flatten1932
to slap (a person) down1938
punk1963
a1400–50 Alexander 2334 I þar pompe and þaire pride to poudire declined.
1599 S. Daniel Let. from Octavia vi. sig. B3, in Poet. Ess. For I could neuer thinke th' aspiring mind Of worthie and victorious Anthonie, Could be by such a Syren so declind.
a1625 J. Fletcher Island Princesse i. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Mmm4/1 A dull labour that declines a Gentleman.
a1649 W. Drummond Hist. James I in Wks. (1711) 15 To decline the rank Growth of these Usurpers.
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 131 The more they run Northward, the more they..raise the Septentrional Pole, and decline the Austral.
?1790 J. Imison School of Arts (ed. 2) 236 To elevate or decline the glass according to the sun's altitude.
19. To cause to slant or slope, incline downwards.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > incline [verb (transitive)] > cause to incline
incline?a1425
decline1578
lean1683
slant1805
rake1842
angle1953
1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 30 Those partes beyng also flat..but somewhat inward declined with all.
1812 J. J. Henry Accurate Acct. Campaign against Quebec 149 Built on a plain pretty much declined towards the street.
1849 J. Ruskin Seven Lamps Archit. iv. 113 The uprightness of the form declined against the marble ledge.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > disparagement or depreciation > disparage or depreciate [verb (transitive)]
littleeOE
low1340
dispraisec1386
minish1402
deroge1427
detractc1449
descryc1450
detrayc1475
dismerit1484
decline1509
vilipend1509
disprize?1518
disable1528
derogatea1530
elevate1541
disparagea1556
detrect1563
debase1565
demerit1576
vilify1586
disgrace1589
detracta1592
besparage1592
enervate1593
obtrect1595
extenuate1601
disvalue1605
disparagon1610
undervalue1611
avile1615
debaucha1616
to cry down1616
debate1622
decry1641
atomize1645
underrate1646
naucify1653
dedignify1654
stuprate1655
de-ample1657
dismagn1657
slur1660
voguec1661
depreciate1666
to run down1671
baffle1674
lacken1674
sneer1706
diminish1712
substract1728
down1780
belittle1789
carbonify1792
to speak scorn of1861
to give one a back-cap1903
minoritize1947
mauvais langue1952
rubbish1953
down-talk1959
marginalize1970
marginate1970
trash1975
neg1987
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xi. ix She can not declyne The noble science, whiche, after poverte, Maye bryng a man agayne to dignitie.
1649 E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 143 What is here said is not with intencion to undervallue or decline ye Presbiterians.
1652 J. Shirley Brothers i. 6 in Six New Playes (1653) Unless you disaffect His person, or decline his education.
*** To inflect grammatically.
21. † b. transferred. To say or recite formally or in definite order. Obsolete.
a. Grammar. To inflect (a noun, adjective, or pronoun) through its different cases; to go through or recite in order the cases of. (Cf. declension n. 4)Also used more widely, or loosely, of verbs (for which the proper word is conjugate adj. and n.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > inflection > inflect [verb (transitive)] > decline
declinea1387
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 327 Ȝif þou canst declyne þilke tweye names and speke Latyn.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xc. 1242 Þis noun rinoceron is declined hic rinoceron, genitiuo huius rinocerontis.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 65 Of whiche [ ix partes of speche] v be declined, that is to say varie their last letters: article, nowne, pronowne, verbe and participle.
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. vi. 56 Of these eight parts, the fowre first onely are such as may be declined.
1654 J. Trapp Comm. Psalms xvi. 4 It was the Serpents grammar that first taught man to decline God in the plurall number.
1834 R. Southey Doctor I. 167 That verb is eternally being declined.
1871 H. J. Roby Gram. Latin Lang. I. §339 The substantive stems in -a (chiefly feminine), and the feminine form of those adjectives which have stems in -o, are declined alike.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > recitation > recite [verb (transitive)]
sayOE
record?c1225
reckonc1350
renderc1380
repeat1451
recite1481
to say over1560
bespout1575
decline1597
to call over1674
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iv. 97 Decline all this, and see what now thou art. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. iii. 51 Ile decline the whole question. View more context for this quotation
1627 M. Drayton Elegies in Battaile Agincourt 201 That you no harsh, nor shallow rimes decline, Vpon that day wherein you shall read mine.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1327v.c1374- caecostomy
- caecum
- caelicolae
- caen-stone
- caenogeneses
- caenogenesis
- caenogenesises
- caenogenesisses
- caenogenetic
- caenstone
- caerphillies
- caerphilly
- caerphilly cheese
- caesar
- caesar baby
- caesar cipher
- caesar cut
- caesar haircut
- caesar salad
- caesar's wife
- caesar-like
- caesar-worship
- caesardom
- caesarean
- caesarean birth