Declension - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Declension is the variation of the form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective to indicate grammatical case, number, and gender in some languages. It helps show relationships between words.
Definition:
The inflection of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives to show grammatical case, number, or gender.
Synonyms:
inflection, conjugation, variation, modification
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
ascent, rise
Common Collocations:
noun declension, Latin declension, strong declension, weak declension
Derivatives:
decline, declensional
Usage Tips:
Use 'declension' when discussing grammar rules for changing word forms in languages like Latin or German.
Common Phrases:
first declension, second declension, third declension
Etymology:
From Latin 'declinatio,' meaning a bending or turning aside; related to grammatical inflection.
Examples:
- 1. The Latin noun follows the third declension pattern.
- 2. She studied the declension of German adjectives in class today.
- 3. Old English had a complex system of noun declensions.
- 4. The teacher explained the first declension using simple examples.