Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Inflection

In-flec′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
inflexio
: cf. F.
inflexion
. See
Inflect
.]
[Written also
inflecxion
.]
1.
The act of inflecting, or the state of being inflected.
2.
A bend; a fold; a curve; a turn; a twist.
3.
A slide, modulation, or accent of the voice;
as, the rising and the falling
inflection
.
4.
(Gram.)
The variation or change which words undergo to mark case, gender, number, comparison, tense, person, mood, voice, etc.
5.
(Mus.)
(a)
Any change or modification in the pitch or tone of the voice.
(b)
A departure from the monotone, or reciting note, in chanting.
6.
(Opt.)
Same as
Diffraction
.
Point of inflection
(Geom.)
,
the point on opposite sides of which a curve bends in contrary ways.

Webster 1828 Edition


Inflection

INFLEC'TION

,
Noun.
[L. inflectio.] The act of bending or turning from a direct line or course.
1.
In optics,a property of light by which its rays, when they approach a body, are bent towards it or from it.
2.
In grammar, the variation of nouns, &c., by declension, and verbs by conjugation.
3.
Modulation of the voice in speaking.
More commonly inflection gives significance to tones.
Point of inflection, in geometry, the point where a curve begins to bend the contrary way.

Definition 2024


inflection

inflection

For inflection templates, see Wiktionary:Inflection templates.

English

Alternative forms

Noun

inflection (countable and uncountable, plural inflections)

  1. (grammar) A change in the form of a word that reflects a change in grammatical function.
    an inflection for gender, number, or tense
  2. A change in pitch or tone of voice.
  3. (mathematics) A change in curvature from concave to convex or from convex to concave.
  4. A turning away from a straight course.
  5. (optometry) diffraction

Synonyms

Hyponyms

Related terms

Translations

External links