inflection

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a change in the form of a word (usually by adding a suffix) to indicate a change in its grammatical function
  2. noun the patterns of stress and intonation in a language
  3. noun deviation from a straight or normal course

Etymology

From older inflexion, borrowed from Middle French inflexion, itself borrowed from Latin inflexiōnem (“alteration”, literally “bending”). The English spelling with ⟨ct⟩ is due to influence from inflect or related words like correction.

In classic literature

Synonyms

inflexion

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