[in.flect] vb [ME, fr. L inflectere, fr. in- + flectere to bend] vt (15c) 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) ~ vi: to become modified by inflection -- in.flect.able adj -- in.flec.tive adj