7 VERB If something is decked with pretty things, it is decorated with them. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n + with ] Villagers decked the streets with bunting. □ [V -ed] The house was decked with flowers.
8 PHRASE If you clear the decks , you get ready to start something new by finishing any work that has to be done or getting rid of any problems that are in the way. □ Clear the decks before you think of taking on any more responsibilities.
▸ deck out PHRASAL VERB If a person or thing is decked out with or in something, they are decorated with it or wearing it, usually for a special occasion. □ [be V -ed P ] The cab was decked out with multi-coloured lights. □ [V n P ] She had decked him out from head to foot in expensive clothes. [Also V P n]
deck|chair /de ktʃeə r / (deckchairs ) also deck chair N‑COUNT A deckchair is a simple chair with a folding frame, and a piece of canvas as the seat and back. Deckchairs are usually used on the beach, on a ship, or in the garden.
-decker /-de kə r / COMB [ADJ n] -decker is used after adjectives like 'double' and 'single' to indicate how many levels or layers something has. □ …a red double-decker bus full of tourists. □ …a triple-decker peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
deck|hand /de khænd/ (deckhands ) N‑COUNT A deckhand is a person who does the cleaning and other work on the deck of a ship.
deck|ing /de k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Decking is wooden boards that are fixed to the ground in a garden or other outdoor area for people to walk on. [mainly BRIT ]
de ck shoe (deck shoes ) N‑COUNT Deck shoes are flat casual shoes made of canvas or leather.
de|claim /d I kle I m/ (declaims , declaiming , declaimed ) VERB If you declaim , you speak dramatically, as if you were acting in a theatre. [WRITTEN ] □ [V with quote] He raised his right fist and declaimed: 'Liar and cheat!'. □ [V n] He used to declaim French verse to us. [Also V , V that]
de|clama|tory /d I klæ mətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ A declamatory phrase, statement, or way of speaking is dramatic and confident. [FORMAL ]
dec|la|ra|tion ◆◇◇ /de kləre I ʃ ə n/ (declarations )
1 N‑COUNT A declaration is an official announcement or statement. □ They will sign the declaration tomorrow. □ [+ of ] The opening speeches sounded more like declarations of war than offerings of peace.
2 N‑COUNT A declaration is a firm, emphatic statement which shows that you have no doubts about what you are saying. □ [+ of ] …declarations of undying love.
3 N‑COUNT A declaration is a written statement about something which you have signed and which can be used as evidence in a court of law. □ On the customs declaration, the sender labeled the freight as agricultural machinery.
de|clare ◆◆◇ /d I kleə r / (declares , declaring , declared )
1 VERB If you declare that something is true, you say that it is true in a firm, deliberate way. You can also declare an attitude or intention. [WRITTEN ] □ [V that] Speaking outside Ten Downing Street, she declared that she would fight on. □ [V with quote] 'I'm absolutely thrilled to have done what I've done,' he declared. □ [V n] He declared his intention to become the best golfer in the world. [Also V n n, V n to-inf]
2 VERB If you declare something, you state officially and formally that it exists or is the case. □ [V n] The government is ready to declare a permanent ceasefire. □ [V n adj] His lawyers are confident that the judges will declare Mr Stevens innocent. □ [V n to-inf] The U.N. has declared it to be a safe zone. □ [V that] You may have to declare that you have had an HIV test.
3 VERB If you declare goods that you have bought in another country or money that you have earned, you say how much you have bought or earned so that you can pay tax on it. □ [V n] Your income must be declared on this form.
de|clas|si|fy /diː klæ s I fa I / (declassifies , declassifying , declassified ) VERB [usu passive] If secret documents or records are declassified , it is officially stated that they are no longer secret. □ [be V -ed] These reports were only declassified last year.
de|cline ◆◆◇ /d I kla I n/ (declines , declining , declined )
1 VERB If something declines , it becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength. □ [V + from ] The number of staff has declined from 217,000 to 114,000. □ [V amount] Hourly output by workers declined 1.3% in the first quarter. □ [V ] Union membership and union power are declining fast. □ [V -ing] …a declining birth rate. [Also V + to/by ]
2 VERB If you decline something or decline to do something, you politely refuse to accept it or do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He declined their invitation. □ [V to-inf] The band declined to comment on the story. □ [V ] He offered the boys some coffee. They declined politely.
3 N‑VAR If there is a decline in something, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or quality. □ [+ in ] There wasn't such a big decline in enrollments after all. □ The first signs of economic decline became visible.
4 PHRASE If something is in decline or on the decline , it is gradually decreasing in importance, quality, or power. □ Thankfully the smoking of cigarettes is on the decline.
5 PHRASE If something goes or falls into decline , it begins to gradually decrease in importance, quality, or power. □ Libraries are an investment for the future and they should not be allowed to fall into decline. SYNONYMS decline VERB