Meanings
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1
noun
a class of nouns or pronouns or adjectives in Indo-European languages having the same (or very similar) inflectional forms
The first declension in Latin.
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2
noun
A falling off, decay or descent.
Refinement of feeling, intellectual tastes, and a noble hospitality, were among the features of his character; and hoary years brought no mental declension, and drew no shade over the ardent affections by which he was distinguished, and in whose reciprocity, was his undeclining solace.
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3
noun
The product of that act; a list of declined forms.
A page full of declensions.
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4
noun
A way of categorizing nouns, pronouns, or adjectives according to the inflections they receive.
In Latin, 'amicus' belongs to the second declension. Most second-declension nouns end in '-i' in the genitive singular and '-um' in the accusative singular.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From late Middle English declinson, from Middle French declinaison (Modern French: déclinaison), from Latin dēclīnātiō. Doublet of declination.