Definition of: decline

(di·klīn′) v. ·clined, ·clin·ing v.i.
1. To refuse to accept, comply with, or do something, especially politely.
2. To lessen or fail, as in value, health, or force; wane.
3. To bend or incline downward or aside.
4. Poetic To fall off morally.
—v.t.
5. To refuse to accept, comply with, or do, especially politely.
6. To cause to bend or incline downward or aside.
7. Gram. To give the inflected forms of (a noun, pronoun, or adjective). See synonyms under ABATE, DIE, FALL.
—noun
1. The act or result of declining; deterioration; decay.
2. The period of such decay.
3. That stage of a disease during which the symptoms decrease in violence.
4. Any enfeebling disease, as tabes.
5. A declivity; a slope. [<OF decliner <L declinare lean down]
—de·clin′a·ble adjective
—de·clin′er noun