❶ 下倾，下降，下垂〔The lawn declines to the sidewalk．草坪向人行道倾斜。
〕 ❷ 变少，衰退〔A person’s strength usually declines in old age．人老了精力通常衰退。〕 ❸ 谢绝，拒绝〔I am sorry I must decline your invitation．很抱歉我不能接受您的邀请。〕 ❹ ［语］使变格‖ n．❶ 衰退，衰落〔a decline in employment就业减少〕 ❷ 最后部分〔the decline黄昏〕 ❸ 斜坡，斜面〔We slid down the decline．我们滑下斜坡。〕