decline

Where does the word "decline" come from? It comes from Latin declinare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Decline’s story begins in Latin: declinare meant “to bend aside.” 'de-' plus 'clinare', to lean. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as decliner. Also grammatical declension. It reached English by 1300s as decline. The sense 'politely refuse' dates from the 1600s. Today, decline means to become smaller; to refuse politely.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient declinare "to bend aside", 'de-' plus 'clinare', to lean.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval decliner "to turn aside", also grammatical declension.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s decline "to sink; to turn aside", the sense 'politely refuse' dates from the 1600s.