declension
noun
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The Evolution of Declension
Declension came into English (via Middle French) in the first half of the 15th century, originating in the Latin verb declinare, meaning "to inflect" or "to turn aside." The word seems to have whiled away its time in the narrow field of grammar until Shakespeare put a new sense of the word in his play Richard III in 1593: "A beauty-waning and distressed widow / … Seduc'd the pitch and height of his degree / To base declension and loath'd bigamy." This "deterioration" sense led within a few decades to the newest sense of the word still in common use, "descent" or "slope." The 19th century saw still another new sense of the word—meaning "a courteous refusal"—but that sense has remained quite rare.
Synonyms
- debilitation
- decay
- decaying
- decline
- degeneration
- descent
- deterioration
- ebbing
- enfeeblement
- weakening
Example Sentences
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 7 June 2021 One time, when Joyce was memorizing Latin declension, Bill Bradley of the Knicks took notice. Katherine Fitzgerald, The Arizona Republic, 18 July 2021 The experience of the pandemic was made ghastlier by being placed against the declension of Trumpism from evil to absurdity—who will ever forget Four Seasons Total Landscaping?—and then back into even darker evil again. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2020 Gender plays an integral role in many languages, from nouns assigned to a specific gender to adjectives changing their declensions based on the noun being described. Madhvi Ramani, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2018 Gender plays an integral role in many languages, from nouns assigned to a specific gender to adjectives changing their declensions based on the noun being described. Madhvi Ramani, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2018 Word History
Middle English declenson, modification of Middle French declinaison, from Latin declination-, declinatio grammatical inflection, turning aside, from declinare to inflect, turn aside
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
declension
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- deterioration
- weakening
- decline
- decay
- degeneration
- decaying
- enfeeblement
- atrophy
- debilitation
- exhaustion
- ebbing
- descent
- regression
- relapse
- drooping
- flagging
- limping
- setback
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improvement
- recovery
- revitalization
- rehabilitation
- recuperation
- progress
- strengthening
- comeback
- rally
- invigoration
- rejuvenation
- snapback
- rejuvenescence
Synonyms & Similar Words
- declination
- decline
- deterioration
- degradation
- descent
- decadence
- downfall
- degeneration
- degeneracy
- ebb
- decrease
- devolution
- eclipse
- fall
- reduction
- destruction
- decay
- dissolution
- disintegration
- decomposition
- dégringolade
- downgrade
- drop
- debasement
- breakup
- loss
- diminution
- abasement
- nadir
- dark age
- slump
- depreciation
- decimation
- rotting
- dip
- crumbling
- diminishment
- ruination
- sunset
- downturn
- lessening
- deflation
- falloff
- shrinkage
- spoiling
- abatement
- decrement
- sag
- downtrend
- desolation
- ruin
- demolition
- downslide
- lowering
- demolishment
- slip
- havoc
- drop-off
- de-escalation
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rise
- growth
- evolution
- development
- ascent
- advancement
- upswing
- flowering
- renewal
- restoration
- revitalization
- increase
- addition
- flourishing
- enhancement
- increment
- blossoming
- addendum
- supplement
- gain
- accrual
- accretion
- boost
- augmentation
- raise
- heightening
Synonyms & Similar Words
- decline
- dip
- downhill
- descent
- fall
- declivity
- depression
- hanging
- hang
- hollow
- downgrade
- basin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rise
- ascent
- uprise
- inclination
- uphill
- grade
- incline
- acclivity
- upgrade
- pitch
- gradient
- tilt
- hill
- rake
- lean
- glacis