declension

American  

[dih-klen-shuhn] / dɪˈklɛn ʃən /

noun

1. Grammar.

   1. the inflection of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives for categories such as case and number.

   2. the whole set of inflected forms of such a word, or the recital thereof in a fixed order.

   3. a class of such words having similar sets of inflected forms.

      the Latin second declension.

2. an act or instance of declining.

3. a bending, sloping, or moving downward.

   land with a gentle declension toward the sea.

4. deterioration; decline.

5. deviation, as from a standard.

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declension British  

/ dɪˈklɛnʃən /

noun

1. grammar

   1. inflection of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives for case, number, and gender

   2. the complete set of the inflections of such a word

      "puella" is a first-declension noun in Latin

2. a decline or deviation from a standard, belief, etc

3. a downward slope or bend

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Other Word Forms

• declensional adjective
• declensionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of declension

1400–50; late Middle English declenson, declynson (with suffix later assimilated to -sion ), by stress retraction and syncope < Old French declinaison < Latin dēclīnātiō declination

Example Sentences

My chief concern about this otherwise fantastic work is that it is set up as a kind of declension narrative, itself a popular American Christian genre as old as the republic.

From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2018

In eloquent sermons known as jeremiads, after the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, vigilant ministers warned their flocks against declension, or a decline in religious standards.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

I asked, after his declension of my shortcomings.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 30, 2016

Ms. Schreck’s brisk declension, from outrage to sly satisfaction, underscores the quicksilver changes in feeling that are also a hallmark of the comedies.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2013

He simply supplied the texts, aided with the translations, and rapped my hand when I failed at declension or agreement.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson