Emily Dickinson Lexicon

decline (-d, -s), v. [Fr décline-r < L. dēclīnāre, turn or bend away from the straight course.] (webplay: any, day, do, earth, goods, lean, part, shun, sink, yet).

1. Descend; set; draw to a close; fall away from the equator; appear to sink into the horizon; (see Psalms 102:11).
2. Refuse; deny; dismiss; turn down; (see Psalms 44:18).
3. Diminish; decrease; lessen in light.
4. Disregard; ignore.
5. Devalue; depreciate.
6. Drown; submerge; drop down; descend into deep water.