INFLECTION • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Inflection

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/ɪnflˈɛkʃən/ Listen

noun

Inflection n. (Written also inflecxion)

The act of inflecting, or the state of being inflected.

A bend; a fold; a curve; a turn; a twist.

A slide, modulation, or accent of the voice; as, the rising and the falling inflection.

(Gram.) The variation or change which words undergo to mark case, gender, number, comparison, tense, person, mood, voice, etc.

(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.

(Opt.) Same as Diffraction.

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

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Etymology of 'Inflection'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Inflection" Quotes from Famous Books

... uses of perversity," he said, with inimitable inflection. For a moment his wife eyed him, speechless ...

— The Brother of Daphne • Dornford Yates

... diminuendo sign] assuredly in accordance with the composer's intentions—thus we reached a more moderate degree of force, and the opening bars of the theme were at once distinguished by a softer inflection, which, I now could easily permit to swell to fortissimo—thus the warm and tender motive, gorgeously supported by the full orchestra, appeared happy ...

— On Conducting (Ueber das Dirigiren): - A Treatise on Style in the Execution of Classical Music • Richard Wagner (translated by Edward Dannreuther)

... an open boat," she repeated, with a curious inflection; "but you perceive, Col. McVeigh, the situation is not at all like that. I am under my own roof tree, and a very substantial one it is," with a comprehensive glance about the imposing apartment; "and you are the first ...

— The Bondwoman • Marah Ellis Ryan

... your pardon," he said, his voice keyed to a curious inflection. "I was under the impression that you had—that, in fact, you changed a cheque for L200 made ...

— The Grell Mystery • Frank Froest

... disturbing causes, whether productive of an increase or decrease of heat, determines, as the total effect, the inflection of the isothermal lines, especially with relation to the expansion and configuration of solid continental masses, as compared with the liquid oceanic. These perturbations give rise to convex and concave summits ...

— COSMOS: A Sketch of the Physical Description of the Universe, Vol. 1 • Alexander von Humboldt

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