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# decline

verb (decline, declines, declined, declining); noun (a decline, declines)

«decline» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To decline is to say no politely to an offer or invitation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#m1)
2. To decline is to become smaller, fewer or worse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#m2)
3. A decline is a fall in amount, number or quality. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths and graphs, a decline is a line going down: the numbers are getting smaller. In science and geography, «the population of bees is declining». In manners lessons, you can decline politely: «No, thank you». Phrases: «decline an invitation», «in decline», «a sharp decline», «decline in numbers».

### Examples

- She politely declined the offer of a second cake. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x1)
- The number of hedgehogs has declined. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x2)
- The graph shows a decline in sales after March. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x3)
- Grandpa's health declined over the winter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x4)
- He declined to answer the question. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x5)
- The town fell into decline when the factory shut. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x6)
- Thank you, but I must decline. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x7)
- The Soldier drank, but only moderately, and declined to drink any more. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/#x8)

### Note

Opposites: «accept» (for invitations), «rise» / «increase» (for amounts). In maths problems «declined by 20» means it went down by 20 (subtract); «declined to 20» means the new amount is 20. A declining line on a graph slopes down from left to right.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Tanakh it means to turn aside or stray from a path. Proverbs warns not to turn from wisdom.

**Interpretation.** The "path" is read as the way of God's commandments. Tradition teaches to walk the straight way without turning left or right.

### Examples

- Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy path; (Writings PSA.44.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decline/#x1)
- Get wisdom, get understanding; forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth; (Writings PRO.4.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decline/#x2)
- Let not thy heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. (Writings PRO.7.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decline/#x3)

### Note

Opposites: «accept» (for invitations), «rise» / «increase» (for amounts). In maths problems «declined by 20» means it went down by 20 (subtract); «declined to 20» means the new amount is 20. A declining line on a graph slopes down from left to right.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «decline» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/decline/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«decline» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/decline.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «decline» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/decline/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«decline» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/decline.html) on Mova free.