Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

inflect

[in-flekt]
See more synonyms for inflect on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to modulate (the voice).
  2. Grammar.
    1. to apply inflection to (a word).
    2. to recite or display all or a distinct set of the inflections of (a word); decline or conjugate.
  3. to bend; turn from a direct line or course.
  4. Botany. to bend in.
Show More
verb (used without object)
  1. Grammar. to be characterized by inflection.
Show More

Origin of inflect

1375–1425; late Middle English inflecten < Latin inflectere to bend in, equivalent to in- in-2 + flectere to bend, curve; cf. flex1
Related formsin·flect·ed·ness, nounin·flec·tive, adjectivein·flec·tor, nounnon·in·flect·ed, adjectiveun·in·flect·ed, adjectiveun·in·flec·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for inflect

Historical Examples

  • Now it would have been absurd to inflect a long English lesson.

    Rites and Ritual

    Philip 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 Expression

    Katherine Jewell Everts

  • (e) To memorize words and to learn to inflect them, before memorizing and learning how to construct sentences.

  • And we yet retain an objective case of the pronoun, and inflect it for person, number and gender.

    The American Language

    Henry L. Mencken

British Dictionary definitions for inflect

inflect

verb
  1. (grammar) to change (the form of a word) or (of a word) to change in form by inflection
  2. (tr) to change (the voice) in tone or pitch; modulate
  3. (tr) to cause to deviate from a straight or normal line or course; bend
Show More
Derived Formsinflectedness, nouninflective, adjectiveinflector, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin inflectere to curve round, alter, from flectere to bend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inflect

v.

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper