inflection
inflection Lexical Profile
inflection Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A change in the form of a word, typically the ending, to express a grammatical function or attribute such as tense, mood, person, number, case, or gender.
"Compared to Latin or Russian, modern English relies heavily on word order rather than inflection to convey grammatical relationships."
The modulation of intonation or pitch in the voice.
"The subtle upward inflection at the end of her statement made it sound like a question."
A change of curvature from convex to concave at a particular point on a curve, or a decisive turning point in a situation or trend.
"Analysts watched the chart closely for a sign of inflection that would indicate whether inflation had finally peaked."
• Rhymes for inflection
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'inflexioun', borrowed from Late Latin 'inflexio' ('a bending or modification'), from the verb 'inflectere' ('to bend inward or warp'), combining 'in-' ('into') and 'flectere' ('to bend').