inflect

in·flect

verb \in-ˈflekt\

Definition of INFLECT

transitive verb

1

: to turn from a direct line or course : curve

2

: to vary (a word) by inflection : decline, conjugate

3

: to change or vary the pitch of (as the voice)

4

: to affect or alter noticeably : influence <an approach inflected by feminism>

intransitive verb

: to become modified by inflection

— in·flect·able \-ˈflek-tə-bəl\ adjective

— in·flec·tive \-ˈflek-tiv\ adjective

Examples of INFLECT

1. Most nouns in English are inflected for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”
2. Most nouns in English inflect for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”
3. Most adjectives in English do not inflect for gender or number.

Origin of INFLECT

Middle English, from Latin inflectere, from in- + flectere to bend

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with INFLECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked