decline是一个雅思常考词汇，这个词的常用解释为n. /v. 下降; 衰退, 减弱; 谢绝，这个词在很多英文原版小说中怎么应用呢，今天小编就带您了解一下。
在荷马的《伊利亚特》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- Thus did he speak, but they all held their peace, ashamed to decline the challenge, yet fearing to accept it, till at last Menelaus rose and rebuked them, for he was angry.
在赫伯特·乔治·威尔斯的《人魔岛》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- Of course these creatures did not decline into such beasts as the reader has seen in zoological gardens, into ordinary bears, wolves, tigers, oxen, swine, and apes.
在詹姆斯·费尼莫尔·库柏的《最后的摩根战士》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- The news had been brought, toward the decline of a day in midsummer, by an Indian runner, who also bore an urgent request from Munro, the commander of a work on the shore of the 'holy lake,' for a speedy and powerful reinforcement.
在威廉·萨默塞特·毛姆的《月亮和六便士》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- Chapter XIIII dare say it would have been more seemly to decline this proposal.
-- It seemed to me a little ungracious to decline an invitation of that sort, and I ascribed his refusal to lack of money.
在儒勒·凡尔纳的《神秘岛》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.
在查尔斯·狄更斯的《老古玩店》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- He saw that the old man looked at Nell, uncertain whether to accept or decline his offer; and added,'I shall be glad to have your young companion with me for one day.
-- These artless sports had naturally soothed and cheered the decline of her widowed father: a most exemplary gentleman (called 'old Foxey' by his friends from his extreme sagacity,) who encouraged them to the utmost, and whose chief regret, on finding that he drew near to Houndsditch churchyard, was, that his daughter could not take out an attorney's certificate and hold a place upon the roll.
-- As many restless spirits, who have hunted fortune, fame, or pleasure through the world, retire in their decline to where they first drew breath, vainly seeking to be children once again before they die, so we, less fortunate than they in early life, but happier in its closing scenes, will set up our rest again among our boyish haunts, and going home with no hope realised, that had its growth in manhood carrying back nothing that we brought away, but our old yearnings to each other saving no fragment from the wreck of life, but that which first endeared it may be, indeed, but children as at first.
在列夫·托尔斯泰的《复活》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- "Well, then decline 'Paw.'"
在罗伯特·路易斯·史蒂文森的《金银岛》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- He was only once crossed, and that was towards the end, when my poor father was far gone in a decline that took him off.
在儒勒·凡尔纳的《海底两万里》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- Strabo saw it navigated: but its decline from the point of departure, near Bubastes, to the Red Sea was so slight that it was only navigable for a few months in the year.
在戴维·赫伯特·劳伦斯的《恋爱中的女人》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- Why should every man decline the whole verb.
在查尔斯·狄更斯的《小杜丽》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- I am hurt that she should ha systematically reproduce what the rest of us blot out; and seem hum I had almost said positively anxious to announce to wealthy and distinguished society that she was born and bred in ha hum a place that I myself decline to name.
-- Don't ask me what it is, Edmund, because I must decline to tell you.'
-- 'I decline to name it, sir,' returned Young John, suddenly turning loud and sharp.
在赫尔曼·梅尔维尔的《白鲸》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- There are those this day among them, who, though intelligent and courageous enough in offering battle to the Greenland or Right whale, would perhaps either from professional inexperience, or incompetency, or timidity, decline a contest with the Sperm Whale; at any rate, there are plenty of whalemen, especially among those whaling nations not sailing under the American flag, who have never hostilely encountered the Sperm Whale, but whose sole knowledge of the leviathan is restricted to the ignoble monster primitively pursued in the North; seated on their hatches, these men will hearken with a childish fireside interest and awe, to the wild, strange tales of Southern whaling.
-- To which my Lord Duke in substance replied (both letters were published) that he had already done so, and received the money, and would be obliged to the reverend gentleman if for the future he (the reverend gentleman) would decline meddling with other people's business.
在查尔斯·狄更斯的《雾都孤儿》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- Under this impression, he secretly resolved to cultivate the good opinion of the old gentleman as quickly as possible; and, if he found the Dodger incorrigible, as he more than half suspected he should, to decline the honour of his farther acquaintance.
在简·奥斯汀的《傲慢与偏见》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- But if WE do not ven-ture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her daughters must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself.'
-- I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than to decline them.'
在简·奥斯汀的《理智与情感》里，有这样的句子出现：
-- Elinor was again obliged to decline her invitation; and by changing the subject, put a stop to her entreaties.
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