inflect
- to modulate (the voice).
- Grammar.
- to apply inflection to (a word).
- to recite or display all or a distinct set of the inflections of (a word); decline or conjugate.
- to bend; turn from a direct line or course.
- Botany. to bend in.
- Grammar. to be characterized by inflection.
Origin of inflect
Related Words for inflect
inflect, differ, divide, modify, diverge, range, diversify, fluctuate, alter, vent, deliver, articulate, tell, assert, say, emphasize, utter, announce, proclaim, declareExamples from the Web for inflect
Historical Examples of inflect
Now it would have been absurd to inflect a long English lesson.
Rites and RitualPhilip Freeman
Can you so inflect "sprawling in want" and "sitting high" as to suggest a swamp and a mountain-top, or a frog and an angel?
Vocal ExpressionKatherine Jewell Everts
(e) To memorize words and to learn to inflect them, before memorizing and learning how to construct sentences.
The Principles of Language-StudyHarold E. Palmer
And we yet retain an objective case of the pronoun, and inflect it for person, number and gender.
The American LanguageHenry L. Mencken
inflect
- (grammar) to change (the form of a word) or (of a word) to change in form by inflection
- (tr) to change (the voice) in tone or pitch; modulate
- (tr) to cause to deviate from a straight or normal line or course; bend
Word Origin for inflect
Word Origin and History for inflect
early 15c., "to bend inward," from Latin inflectere (past participle inflexus) "to bend in, bow, curve," figuratively, "to change," from in- "in" (see in- (1)) + flectere "to bend" (see flexible). Grammatical sense is attested 1660s; pronunciation sense (in inflection) is c.1600. Related: Inflected; inflecting.