inflect

UK: /ɪnˈflɛkt/ US: /ɪnˈflɛkt/ ,(in flekt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•flect /ɪnˈflɛkt/   v. 

1. to change (the voice) when pronouncing:
   [~ + object] When you inflect your voice in English you can make a difference in meaning;
   there is a difference, as between "You are coming'' spoken with little change in stress or pitch, and "You are coming?''.
2. Grammar to change the form of (a word) by inflection;
   conjugate or decline:
   [~ + object] The computer program can inflect that verb, producing the forms talk, talks, talked, and talking.
3. Grammar to be able to undergo such a change:
   [no object] In English the verb must does not inflect; it stays the same.

See -flect-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•flect  (in flekt′), v.t. 

1. to modulate (the voice).
2. Grammar
   • Grammar to apply inflection to (a word).
   • Grammar to recite or display all or a distinct set of the inflections of (a word);
     decline or conjugate.
3. to bend;
   turn from a direct line or course.
4. Botany to bend in.

v.i. 

5. Grammar to be characterized by inflection.

• Latin inflectere to bend in, equivalent. to in- in-² + flectere to bend, curve; compare flex
• late Middle English inflecten 1375–1425

in•flect′ed•ness, n. 
in•flec′tive, adj. 
in•flec′tor, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

inflect / ɪnˈflɛkt/ verb

1. (grammar) to change (the form of a word) or (of a word) to change in form by inflection
2. (transitive) to change (the voice) in tone or pitch; modulate
3. (transitive) to cause to deviate from a straight or normal line or course; bend

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin inflectere to curve round, alter, from flectere to bend

inˈflectedness noun

inˈflective adjective

inˈflector noun