declining

de·cline  (d-kln)

v. de·clined, de·clin·ing, de·clines

v.intr.

1. To express polite refusal.

2.

a. To slope downward; descend.

b. To bend downward; droop.

3. To degrade or lower oneself; condescend.

4. To deteriorate gradually; fail.

5.

a. To sink, as the setting sun.

b. To draw to a gradual close; wane.

v.tr.

1. To refuse politely: I declined their offer of help. See Synonyms at refuse¹.

2. To cause to slope or bend downward.

3. Grammar To inflect (a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective) for number and case.

n.

1. The process or result of declining, especially a gradual deterioration.

2. A downward movement.

3. The period when something approaches an end.

4. A downward slope; a declivity.

5. A disease that gradually weakens or wastes the body.

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[Middle English declinen, from Old French decliner, from Latin dclnre, to turn away, bend downward, change the form of a word : d-, de- + -clnre, to lean, bend; see klei- in Indo-European roots.]

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de·clina·ble adj.

de·cliner n.