Definitions for: Inflection


[n] the patterns of stress and intonation in a language
[n] a manner of speaking in which the loudness or pitch or tone of the voice is modified
[n] deviation from a straight or normal course
[n] a change in the form of a word (usually by adding a suffix) to indicate a change in its grammatical function



Webster (1913) Definition: In*flec"tion, n. [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.) 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.) Same as Diffraction.

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

Synonyms: flection, flexion, inflexion, prosody

See Also: accent, caesura, conjugation, declension, delivery, departure, deviation, difference, divergence, emphasis, enjambement, enjambment, grammatical relation, intonation, manner of speaking, modulation, paradigm, pitch contour, rhythm, speech, speech rhythm, stress

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