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.