Part 79

Angle of declination, the angle made by a descending line, or plane, with a horizontal plane. -- Circle of declination, a circle parallel to the celestial equator. -- Declination compass (Physics), a compass arranged for finding the declination of the magnetic needle. -- Declination of the compass or needle, the horizontal angle which the magnetic needle makes with the true north-and-south line.

Dec"li*na`tor (?), n. [Cf. F. déclinateur. See Decline.] 1. An instrument for taking the declination or angle which a plane makes with the horizontal plane.

2. A dissentient. [R.] Bp. Hacket.

De*clin"a*to*ry (?; 277), a. [LL. declinatorius, fr. L. declinare: cf. F. déclinatoire.] Containing or involving a declination or refusal, as of submission to a charge or sentence. Blackstone.

Declinatory plea (O. Eng. Law), the plea of sanctuary or of benefit of clergy, before trial or conviction; -- now abolished.

De*clin"a*ture (?; 135), n. The act of declining or refusing; as, the declinature of an office.

De*cline" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Declined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Declining.] [OE. declinen to bend down, lower, sink, decline (a noun), F. décliner to decline, refuse, fr. L. declinare to turn aside, inflect (a part of speech), avoid; de- + clinare to incline; akin to E. lean. See Lean, v. i.] 1. To bend, or lean downward; to take a downward direction; to bend over or hang down, as from weakness, weariness, despondency, etc.; to condescend. "With declining head." Shak.

He . . . would decline even to the lowest of his family.

Lady Hutchinson.

Disdaining to decline, Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries.

Byron.

The ground at length became broken and declined rapidly.

Sir W. Scott.

2. To tend or draw towards a close, decay, or extinction; to tend to a less perfect state; to become diminished or impaired; to fail; to sink; to diminish; to lessen; as, the day declines; virtue declines; religion declines; business declines.

That empire must decline Whose chief support and sinews are of coin.

Waller.

And presume to know . . . Who thrives, and who declines.

Shak.

3. To turn or bend aside; to deviate; to stray; to withdraw; as, a line that declines from straightness; conduct that declines from sound morals.

Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

Ps. cxix. 157.

4. To turn away; to shun; to refuse; -- the opposite of accept or consent; as, he declined, upon principle.

De*cline", v. t. 1. To bend downward; to bring down; to depress; to cause to bend, or fall.

In melancholy deep, with head declined.

Thomson.

And now fair Phoebus gan decline in haste His weary wagon to the western vale.

Spenser.

2. To cause to decrease or diminish. [Obs.] "You have declined his means." Beau. & Fl.