1 Grammar change the form of (a word) to express a particular grammatical function or attribute, typically tense, mood, person, number, and gender:Arabic verbs are inflected for person, number, and gender
[no object] (of a word or language) undergo inflection:all of these words inflect irregularly
2vary the intonation or pitch of (the voice), especially to express mood or feeling:his slight voice, inflected with a token touch of grit
vary the pitch of (a musical note).
influence or colour (music or writing) in tone or style:her analysis may have been inflected by the upsurge of feminism [in combination]:blues-inflected bar rock
3 technical bend or deflect (something), especially inwards:particles readily inflect, deflect and jostle one another
