Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Declined \De*clined"\, a.
   Declinate.