DECLINATION

declination   (dek-l<<schwa>>-nay-sh<<schwa>>n).1.   A   deviation   from   proper   course

<declination  of  duty>.2.  An  act  of  refusal  <declination  of  a  gift>.3.  A  document  filed  by  a

fiduciary who chooses not to serve. 4. At common law, a plea to the court’s jurisdiction by reason

of the judge’s personal interest in the lawsuit. — Also termed (esp. in sense 2) declinature. [Blacks Law 8th]