INFLECTION

prosody, inflection

(noun) the patterns of stress and intonation in a language

modulation, inflection

(noun) a manner of speaking in which the loudness or pitch or tone of the voice is modified

inflection, flection, flexion

(noun) deviation from a straight or normal course

inflection, inflexion

(noun) a change in the form of a word (usually by adding a suffix) to indicate a change in its grammatical function

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

inflection (countable and uncountable, plural inflections)

(grammar) A change in the form of a word that reflects a change in grammatical function.

A change in pitch or tone of voice.

(mathematics) A change in curvature from concave to convex or from convex to concave.

A turning away from a straight course.

(optometry) diffraction

Synonyms

• flection, flexion

Hyponyms

• (grammar): conjugation

• (grammar): declension, declination

Source: Wiktionary

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In*flec"tion, n. Etym: [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.)

Definition: 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.)

Definition: Same as Diffraction. Point of inflection (Geom.), the point on opposite sides of which a curve bends in contrary ways.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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