Inflection

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪnˈflÉ›kʃən/
• Rhymes: -É›kʃən
• Hyphenation: in + flec + tion

Alternative forms

• inflexion

Origin

From the English inflexion, from Middle French inflexion, from Latin inflexio, inflexionis ("a bending away from"); the spelling inflection is due to influence from correction.

Full definition of inflection

Noun

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

• flection
• flexion

Hyponyms

• (grammar) conjugation
• (grammar) declension

Related terms

• inflect
• inflected