English - Etymology
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.
English - Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɪnˈflɛkʃən/
- Rhymes: -ɛkʃən
- Hyphenation: in‧flec‧tion
English - 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
Hyponyms
- (grammar): conjugation
- (grammar): declension