declension

[ dih-klen-shuhn ]

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.

declension

/ 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

Derived Forms

• deˈclensionally, adverb
• deˈclensional, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of declension¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of declension¹

C15: from Latin dēclīnātiō, literally: a bending aside, hence variation, inflection; see decline

Example Sentences

Nouns of the weak declension have -e in all cases of the singular, -en throughout the 500 plural.

From Project Gutenberg

Encouraged by these reflections, a new stock of patience was gathered, and the declension of the sun was viewed with less alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

The word Dy, which supplies this declension, is derived from Indyim mine.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall conclude these remarks, with full examples of each pronominal declension.

From Project Gutenberg

Why this steady declension, with which, considering the character of Cecilia, the court sojourn can have had nothing to do?

From Project Gutenberg