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declined |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Decline \De*cline"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Declined}; p. pr & vb n. {Declining}.] [OE. declinen to bend down lower, sink, decline (a noun), F. d['e]cliner 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. He . . . would decline even to the lowest of his family. --Lady Hutchinson. Disdaining to decline Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries. --Byron. The ground at length became broken and declined rapidly. --Sir W. Scott. 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. That empire must decline Whose chief support and sinews are of coin. --Waller. And presume to know . . . Who thrives, and who declines. --Shak. 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. Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. --Ps. cxix. 157. 4. To turn away to shun; to refuse; -- the opposite of accept or consent; as he declined, upon principle. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Declined \De*clined"\, a. Declinate.
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