declaration 
Tosct forth in order a ili-rliirnlinii of those things whieli 
are most surety believed amon^' us. Luke i. 1. 
3. That which is proclaimed or declared ; spe- 
cifically, the document or instrument l>y which 
an announcement or assert ion is formally made : 
as. the /teelaralioii of Independence, 
Veretle I wold the iectorocion, 
limn, ii f I'HI-II anil (E. E. T. S.), 1. K0t 
4. In lair: (n) At common law, the pleading 
in which the plaintiff formally presents the 
allegations on which ho bases his claim for re- 
lief in a civil action: now more commonly 
called com/ildinl. (h) In the criminal law of 
Scotland, the account which a prisoner who has 
been apprehended on suspicion of having com- 
mitted a crime gives of himself, to be taken 
down in writing, on his examination. 5. A 
confession of faith or doctrine : as, the Au- 
burn Jtcclamtioit ; the Savoy Declaration, etc. 
Declaration de faillite, in French law, an adjudication 
in bankruptcy. Declaration of Independence, in U. 
5. hist., the public act by which the Continental Congress, 
on July 4th, 1770, declared the colonies to tie free and in- 
dependent of Great Britain: often called tiy eminence the 
11,-fiiiriititiii. Declaration of Intention, in law, a de- 
claration made in court by an alien of his intent to become 
a citi/en oi tlie I nited states : required in some States as 
a condition of acquiring land. Declaration Of rights. 
see iiiilnj'itiiiiitt. under <ii7I->. Declaration of Title Act. 
an English statute of 1802 providing means to establish and 
quiet land titles. Declaration of trust, an avowal of 
holding specified property in trust for another person. 
Declaration Of war, an announcement or proclamation 
of war by the sovereign authority of a country against an- 
other country. It was formerly customary to send a de- 
claration of warlike purpose to the menaced power before 
beginning hostilities; but a declaration of war is now 
more commonly merely an announcement of the actual 
existence of a state of war. In most countries the power 
of declaring or formally beginning war rests with the sov- 
ereign or executive ; but the Constitution of the United 
states confines this power to Congress. Dying declara- 
tion, in laiv, a declaration made by a person on his death- 
bed. Such declarations, when relating to the cause of 
death, are admitted as evidence in a prosecution for homi- 
cide where it can be proved that the declarant knew he 
was about to die and had given up all hope of recovery. 
Explicit declaration. See explicit. Judicial decla- 
ration, in Scots law, in civil causes, the statement taken 
down in writing of a party when judicially examined as to 
the particular facts on which a case rests. Savoy De- 
claration, a "declaration of the faith and order owned 
and practised in the Congregational churches in England," 
agreed upon at a meeting in the Savoy palace, London, in 
1658. Doctrinally, it is a modification of the Westminster 
Assembly's Confession of Faith. It is no longer regarded 
as authoritative among the churches of the Congregation- 
al faith and order. Also called Savoy Confession. To 
emit a declaration. See emit. 
declarative (de-klar'a-tiv), . [= F. declara- 
tif = Sp. Pg. declardtivo = It. dichiarativo, < 
LL. deelarativus, < L. declarare, declare: see 
declare. ] 1 . Making declaration, proclamation, 
or publication ; exhibiting or manifesting ; de- 
claratory ; explanatory. 
We but rarely find examples of this imperfect subjunc- 
tive in the independent declarative form. 
Amer. Jour. Pkilol., VIII. 62. 
2. As declared, set forth, or made known : in 
contrast to essential: as, the declarative glory 
of God. 
declaratively (de-klar'a-tiy-li), adv. In a de- 
clarative manner; by ilistinct assertion, and 
not impliedly ; by proclamation. 
Christ was not primarily tmt declaratieely invested with 
all jiower in heaven and on earth after he had finished 
his work and risen from the dead. 
Bibliotheca Sacra, XLV. 652. 
declarator (de-klar'a-tor), n. [< F. declara- 
toire, < L. as if *declaratorius t declaratory : see 
declaratory."] In Scots law, a declaratory ac- 
tion ; a form of action in the Court of Session, 
the object of which is to have a fact declared 
judicially, leaving the legal consequences of it 
to follow as a matter of course: as, a declara- 
tor of marriage, etc. Declarator of bastardy. 
See liilxtnrttll. 
declaratorily (de-klar'a-to-ri-li), adr. By de- 
claration or exhibition. 
Andreas Aleiatus, the civilian, and Franciscus de Cor- 
dua. have both <li'i-l<irittrili/ eonnrmed the same. 
Sir T. llroimf. Vulg. Err. 
declaratory (de-klar'a-to-ri), a. [= F. declara- 
toire = Sp. Pg. It. di-flaralorlo, < L. as if *dc- 
claratoriii/t. < declarator, a declarer, < declarare, 
declare: geefjtolars,] Making declaration, clear 
manifestation, or exhibition ; affirmative ; de- 
clarative. 
This (net) is of a ilivliiratorii nature, and recites that 
they are already contrary to the ancient and fundamental 
laws of the realm. llatlam. Const. Hist., vi. 
Declaratory act or statute, an act or statute intended 
not to make new law, but to put an end to doubt by 
restating or explaining some former aet or ei.nimon-law 
rule. Declaratory action, in N' 1 "/* /, same as ileclar- 
nim:- Declaratory decree or judgment, a decree or 
L487 
judgment which simply deelnres the rights of the parties 
or expresses the opinion of the court on a question of law, 
without ordering anything to tie done. /;/*/// n/nt 
declare (de-klar'), r. ; pret. and pp. declared, 
ppr. deelarma. [< MK. <// mi. < OF. declarer, 
ili-e/i-rer, deelainer, ilisi-lairn r. etc., F. derlnnr 
= Sp. Pg. dcclarar = It. tlichiarire, dichiarare, 
< L. declarare, make clear, manifest, show, de- 
clare, < de + clarus, clear: see clear, clarify.] 
1. trans. If. To make clear; clear up; free 
from obscurity ; make plain. 
To ilerlarc this a little, we must assume that the sur- 
faces of such bodies are exactly smooth. Boyle. 
2. To make known by words ; assert explicitly ; 
manifest or communicate plainly in any way ; 
publish ; proclaim ; tell. 
For a story of gallant bold Robin Hood 
t'nto you I will declare. 
Robin Hood and the Shepherd (Child's Ballads, V. 238). 
The heavens declare the glory of God. Pa. xlx. 1. 
I will drclare what he hath done for my soul. 
Ps. Ixvi. 16. 
Who shall then declare 
The date of thy deep-founded strength ? 
Bryant, The Ages, xxxv. 
3. To proclaim ; announce. 
I return'd in the evening with S r Joseph Williamson, 
now declar'd Secretary of .State. 
Evelyn, Diary, July 22, 1674. 
4. To assert ; affirm : as, he declares the story 
to be false. 
He says some of the best things in the world and de- 
clareth that wit is his aversion. Lamb, My Relations. 
6. In law, to solemnly assert a fact before wit- 
nesses : as, he declared a paper signed by him 
to be his last will and testament. 6. To make 
a full statement of, as of goods on which duty 
is to be paid at the custom-house. 
A merchant of that guild cannot declare at the custom- 
house merchandise brought in one ship-load or land-con- 
veyance of higher value than 2000. Brougham. 
To declare a dividend. See dividend. To declare 
one's self, to throw off reserve and avow one's opinions ; 
show openly what one thinks, or which side one espouses. 
We are a considerable body, who, upon a proper occa- 
sion, would not fail to declare ourselves. Addition. 
To declare war, to make a declaration of war (which see, 
under declaration). =8yn. 2-4. Proclaim, Publish, etc. 
(see announce); Affirm, Aver, etc. (see assert); state, pro- 
test, utter, promulgate. 
II. intrans. 1. To make known one's thoughts 
or opinions ; proclaim or avow some opinion, 
purpose, or resolution in favor or in opposition ; 
make known explicitly some determination; 
make a declaration ; come out : with for or 
against : as, the prince declared for the allies ; 
victory had not declared for either party ; the 
allied powers declared against France. 
The internal faculties of will and understanding decree- 
ing and declaring against them. Jer. Taylor. 
Like fawning courtiers, for success they wait ; 
And then come smiling, and declare for fate. 
Drydm. 
Specifically 2. To express a formal decision ; 
make a decision known by official proclamation 
or notice. 
The Office did attend the King and Cabal, to discourse 
of the further quantity of victuals fit to be declared for, 
which was 2000 men for six months. 
Pepys, Diary, IV. 144. 
3. In law, to make a declaration or complaint ; 
set forth formally in pleading the cause for 
relief against the defendant: as. the plaintiff 
declared on a promissory note. 4. In the game 
of bezique, to lay on the table, face up, any 
counting-cards or combinations of cards ; show 
cards for the purpose of scoring. To declare off. 
(a) To refuse to cooperate in any undertaking ; break off 
one's engagements, etc. (6) To decide against continuing 
a habit or practice ; break away from a custom : as, to 
declare o/Tfrom smoking. [Colloq.] 
declared (de-klard'), p.o. Avowed; proclaim- 
ed ; open ; professed : as, a declared enemy. 
declaredly (de-klar 'ed-li), adv. Avowedly; 
openly : explicitly. 
The French were, from the very first, most declaredly 
averse from treating. >'<v H'm. Temjfle, Memoirs. 
declaredness (df-klar'ed-nes), . The state of 
being declared, 
declarementt (de-klar'ment), n. [< OF. de-. 
claremeiit. declairenient = Sp. declaramiento = 
Pg. declaramento = It. dichiaramento, < ML. 
as if "declaramentum, < L. declarare, declare: 
see declare."} A declaration. 
A tli'i-lni-f-iiii'nt of very different parts. 
>Yr T. l;rinr,,e, Vulg. Err., i!. 1. 
declarer (de-klar'er), H. One who makes known, 
proclaims, or publishes ; one who or that which 
exhibits or explains. 
declinant 
All o|M-lt ili-rlnfrr ol < ioil - - ..... lneS. 
./. r,lall. On l.llkexviii. 
'1 be ili'rtnrer of some true fact* 01 siueere passions. 
ItllHkin, Ix-etllles oil Alt 
declass6 (da-khi-sa'). n. [H.: see deeluaxrit.] 
Same as </<r/x.v</. 
It to only the dMatsr, the ne'er do -well, or the really 
unfortunate, who has nothing to eall his own. 
r'in-tiii'.llillil It.-r., N. S.. XI. II. !!.;. 
declassed (de-klasf), a. [< de- + class + -i-il", 
after F. declasse (also used in E. as a noun).] 
Fallen or put out of one's proper class or place 
or any definite and recognized position or rank 
in the social system : applied to persons who by 
misfortune or their own fault have lost social or 
business standing, and are not counted as part 
of any recognized class of society. 
declension (de-klen'shon), n. [An accom. form 
(term, after extension, "etc.) of OF. declinaison 
(F. declinaison), the same word as declination, 
declinadon, F. declination, E. declination, < L. 
declinatio(n-), a bending aside, inflection, de- 
clension, < declinarc, bend, decline: see decline 
and declination.} 1. A sloping downward; a 
declination; a descent; aslope; a declivity. 
The declension of the land from that place to the sea. 
T. Bumet, Theory of the Earth. 
2. A sinking or falling into a lower or inferior 
state; deterioration; decline. 
In the latter date and declension of his drooping years. 
South, Sermons. 
We never read that Jesus laughed, and but once that 
he rejoiced in spirit ; hut the decleiuions of our natures 
cannot hear the weight of a perpetual grave deportment. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 24. 
States and empires have their periods of declension. 
Sterne, Sentimental Journey, p. 79. 
But the fall, the rapid and total declension, of Wilkes's 
fame, the utter oblivion into which his very name has 
passed for all purposes save the remembrance of his vices, 
. . . this affords also a salutary lesson to the followers of 
the multitude. Brougham, John Wilkes. 
3. Refusal; non-acceptance. 
Declension is improperly used to signify the act of de- 
clining. It is a good word to express a state of decline or 
the process of decline. But we cannot say, "He sent in 
his declension of the office." ... I do not find it (in this 
sense) in the works of the first class of English authors. 
We need a wonl to express the act in question ; we have 
none but the participle "declining." . . . " Decluiature " 
may yet make its way into reputable use. 
Phelpt, Eng. Style, p. 362. 
4. In gram. : (a) The inflection of nouns, pro- 
nouns, and adjectives; strictly, the deviation 
of other forms of such a word from that of its 
nominative case ; in general, the formation of 
the various cases from the stem, or from the 
nominative singular as representing it: thus, 
in English, man, man's, men, men's; in Latin, 
rex, regis, regi, regent, rege, in the singular, 
and reges, regum, regibus, in the plural. (6) 
The rehearsing of a word as declined ; the act 
of declining a word, as a noun, (c) A class of 
nouns declined on the same tyrje: as, first or 
second declension; the five Latin declensions. 
Abbreviated decl Declension of the needle. See 
declination. 
declensional (de-klen'shon-al), . [< declension 
+ -a/.] In grain., pertaining to orof the nature 
of declension. 
It strenuously avoids the declensional and verbal pabu- 
lum usually administered to student*. 
Pop. Sci. Mo., XXX. -J7S. 
declericalize (de-kler'i-kal-iz), r. t. ; pret. and 
pp. dcclericaltecd, ppr. declericaliziny. [< de- 
priv. + clerical + -ire.] To deprive of the cler- 
ical character; withdraw from clerical influ- 
ence; secularize. [Rare.] 
declinable (de-kll'na-bl), a. [= F. declinable = 
Sp. declinable = Pg. declinaret = It. declinabile. 
< LL. decUnabilis, < declinare, decline: see de- 
cline."} Capable of being declined ; specifical- 
ly, in gram., capable of changing its termi- 
nation in the oblique cases: as, a declinable 
noun. 
In inflected languages, declinaole words . . . usually 
have endings which n< 't only determine their grammatical 
class and category, but are also characteristic of the lan- 
guage to which they belong. 
G. P. Marsh, Lecto. on Eng. I.ang., vii. 
decimal (de-kli'nal), a. [< decline + -al."] 1. 
Bending downward; declining. 2. In geol., 
sloping from an axis, as strata of rocks. See 
ni'clinal. 
declinant (dek'li-nant), a. [< F. declinant =. 
Sp. Pg. It. ileclinnnii', < L. dcclinan(t-)s, ppr. of 
declinare, decline : see decline.} In her., having 
the tail hanging vertically downward : said of 
a serpent used as a bearing. Also declirant. 
