declension

C2 Topic:Language & Linguistics

US /dɪˈklɛn.ʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #107576

Meanings

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.
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.
3

noun
The product of that act; a list of declined forms.

A page full of declensions.
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

Synonyms

declination

Word family

Derived forms declensedeclenseddeclensionaldeclensionismdeclensionist

Related forms misdecline

Etymology

From late Middle English declinson, from Middle French declinaison (Modern French: déclinaison), from Latin dēclīnātiō. Doublet of declination.

Topics

Language & Linguistics Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# declension

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /dɪˈklɛn.ʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 107576

## Meanings
1. a class of nouns or pronouns or adjectives in Indo-European languages having the same (or very similar) inflectional forms
2. A falling off, decay or descent.
3. The product of that act; a list of declined forms.
4. A way of categorizing nouns, pronouns, or adjectives according to the inflections they receive.

## Examples
- The first declension in Latin.
- 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.
- A page full of declensions.
- 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.

## Synonyms
- declination

## Derived Forms
- declense
- declensed
- declensional
- declensionism
- declensionist

## Related Forms
- misdecline

## Etymology
From late Middle English declinson, from Middle French declinaison (Modern French: déclinaison), from Latin dēclīnātiō. Doublet of declination.

## Topics
- Language & Linguistics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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