Declension: meaning, definitions and examples

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declension

[ dɪˈklɛnʃən ]

^{Context #1}

grammar

The variation of the form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective, by which its grammatical case, number, and gender are identified.

Synonyms

inflection

Examples of usage

The declension of the Latin word 'puella' includes the forms 'puella' (nominative), 'puellam' (accusative), and 'puellae' (genitive).
Russian nouns have six declensions, each with different endings depending on the case.

^{Context #2}

historical

The falling off or away; a descent from a higher to a lower state or condition.

Synonyms

decline, downturn

Examples of usage

The declension of the Roman Empire was a gradual process over several centuries.
The declension of the economy led to widespread unemployment.

Translations

Translations of the word "declension" in other languages:

🇵🇹 declinação

🇮🇳 रूपांतरण

🇩🇪 Deklination

🇮🇩 deklinasi

🇺🇦 відмінювання

🇵🇱 deklinacja

🇯🇵 曲用 (きょくよう)

🇫🇷 déclinaison

🇪🇸 declinación

🇹🇷 çekim

🇰🇷 격변화

🇸🇦 إعراب

🇨🇿 skloňování

🇸🇰 skloňovanie

🇨🇳 变格 (biàngé)

🇸🇮 sklanjatev

🇮🇸 beyging

🇰🇿 септік жалғаулар

🇬🇪 დაცემა

🇦🇿 hal dəyişməsi

🇲🇽 declinación

Word origin

The word 'declension' comes from the Latin word 'declinatio', which means 'a leaning, an inflection, a variation'. It has been used in English since the late 14th century to refer to the variation of the form of a word to express different grammatical categories. Over time, it has also been used in a broader sense to indicate a decline or descent, particularly in historical contexts.

See also: declination, decliner, declining.