declinatory

[ dih-klahy-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. expressing refusal; implying declination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of declinatory¹

1665–75; < Medieval Latin dēclīnātōrius, equivalent to Latin dēclīnā ( re ) ( decline ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

More About Declinatory

What does declinatory mean?

Declinatory means expressing refusal.

It can be used to describe a statement made by someone who has declined something—refused it or turned it down.

The related noun declination can mean a polite refusal, especially in a formal or official situation. Neither declinatory or this sense of declination are commonly used.

Example: I’m sorry to say that his response was declinatory—he politely declined to participate.

Where does declinatory come from?

The first records of the word declinatory come from around 1670. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb dēclīnāre, meaning “to slope” or “to bend away.”

People decline things all the time, but the word declinatory is rarely used. Most people find another way to say that a statement expressed a refusal. For this reason, the word sounds very formal, and is often reserved for use in law or other formal contexts.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to declinatory?

• decline (verb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with declinatory? 

• declination
• declinate 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing declinatory?

• refuse
• refusal
• statement

How is declinatory used in real life?

The term declinatory is formal and rarely used.

@gingeriffic_knh I rescind my previously declinatory statement! I. Will. Be. Back. By. Heart your #BouncyCastles and you. :)

— Michael W. Kennedy, PhD (@JusBeinMichael) November 5, 2011

Used the word 'declinatory' in an email. Please send my Pulitzer to my office address.

— Emily (@EmilyUpstairs) April 16, 2018

 

Try using declinatory!

Is declinatory used correctly in the following sentence?

I just sent a declinatory email to accept the position!