declining
UK: dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ | US: dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ
adj. decreasing in quality, quantity, or strength
v. (present participle of decline)
- to refuse politely
- to become weaker or worse
- to slope downward
declining = de<down> + clin<to bend> + ing<present participle suffix>
- de (Latin prefix): "down" or "away," indicating reversal or reduction.
- clin (from Latin clinare): "to bend" or "to lean," reflecting a downward movement.
- ing (Old English suffix): Forms present participles or gerunds.
Etymology Origin:
The word declining traces back to Latin declinare ("to bend down, turn aside"), combining de- (down) and clinare (to bend). Over time, it evolved in Middle English to mean "to refuse" (bending away from an offer) or "to deteriorate" (bending downward in quality). The core idea of "downward motion" unites its meanings, whether literal (sloping) or metaphorical (weakening).
The declining sales forced the company to rethink its strategy.
She politely declined the invitation due to prior commitments.
His health has been declining steadily over the past year.
The road declines sharply after the bridge.
Public interest in the topic is visibly declining.