declension

de·clen·sion

noun \di-ˈklen(t)-shən\

Definition of DECLENSION

1

a : noun, adjective, or pronoun inflection especially in some prescribed order of the forms b : a class of nouns or adjectives having the same type of inflectional forms

2

: a falling off or away : deterioration

3

: descent, slope

— de·clen·sion·al \-ˈklen(t)-shə-n^əl\ adjective

Examples of DECLENSION

1. <a noticeable declension of the fitness of the baseball players over the winter>
2. <a declension in her acting career from leading roles to cameos eventually>

Origin of DECLENSION

Middle English declenson, modification of Middle French declinaison, from Latin declination-, declinatio grammatical inflection, turning aside, from declinare to inflect, turn aside

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DECLENSION

Synonyms: debilitation, decay, decaying, decline, degeneration, descent, deterioration, ebbing, enfeeblement, weakening

Antonyms: comeback, improvement, rally, recovery, recuperation, rehabilitation, revitalization, snapback

Related Words: atrophy; exhaustion; drooping, flagging, limping; regression, relapse, setback

Near Antonyms: invigoration, strengthening; progress; rejuvenation, rejuvenescence

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with DECLENSION

dimension, high-tension, Vincentian