inflection
UK: ɪnˈflɛkʃ(ə)n | US: ɪnˈflɛkʃən
n. a change in the form of a word (typically the ending) to express grammatical function (e.g., tense, case, gender)
n. modulation of tone or pitch in speech
n. a slight bending or deviation from a straight line or course
The word "inflection" originates from Latin inflectere ("to bend inward"), composed of in- (into) and flectere (to bend). The term evolved in Late Middle English to describe grammatical "bending" of word forms (e.g., verb conjugations) and later extended to vocal pitch modulation and physical curvature. The morpheme flect persists in related words like flexible (capable of bending) and reflect (to bend back).
The verb "run" has irregular inflections: runs, ran, running.
Her voice rose in inflection to emphasize the question.
The road followed a slight inflection around the hill.
Linguists study inflection patterns across languages.
The dancer’s inflection of her spine created a graceful arc.