decline etymology

Etymology

The word "decline" originates from the Old French word "decliner," which in turn comes from the Latin word "declinare," meaning "to bend down" or "to turn away."

Meaning

The word "decline" has several related meanings:

  • To move downwards or decrease: The stock market has been declining in recent weeks.
  • To deteriorate or lose strength: His health has declined since he was hospitalized.
  • To refuse or reject: She declined the offer of a promotion.
  • To alter the form or direction of something: The government declined to comment on the allegations.

Origin

The Latin word "declinare" is derived from the verb "clino," which means "to bend" or "to slope." The related word "decline" entered the English language in the late 14th century.

Related Words

  • Decline
  • Declination
  • Declivity
  • Declinometer

decline relate terms

  • declination

    Etymology The word declination derives from the Latin declinare meaning to bend down t

  • decline

    Etymology The word decline originates from the Old French word decliner which in tur

  • indeclinable

    Etymology Latin indeclinalis in not declinabilis capable of declension

  • decline

    Etymology The word decline originates from the Old French word decliner which in tur

  • improvement

    Etymology The word improvement is derived from the Old French word aprovement which

  • wane

    Etymology Middle English wanien wanen to decline diminish from Old English wanian

  • descent

    Etymology The word descent comes from the Old French word descendre which in turn d

  • recuse

    Etymology The word recuse comes from the Latin verb recusare meaning to refuse or

  • decay

    Etymology Middle English decaien from Old French decaoir from Latin decadere decide

  • contravene

    Etymology Latin contravenire Contra against venire come Meaning To ac

  • recusant

    Etymology Meaning and Origin of Recusant Etymology The word recusant originates fr

  • refuse

    Etymology Old French refus refuser Latin refutare to refute reject oppose Proto

  • incline

    Etymology The word incline derives from the Latin word inclinare meaning to bend or

  • bounce

    Etymology The word bounce originates from the Middle English word bouncen which in