Inflexion: meaning, definitions and examples
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inflexion
[ ɪnˈflɛkʃən ]
grammar use
Inflexion, often spelled 'inflection', refers to the modification of a word to express different grammatical features such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, number, gender, and case. This process can indicate or signify change in the meaning of the word. In linguistic terms, inflexion is crucial for understanding how words relate to each other within sentences. Different languages employ various forms of inflexion to convey nuances in meaning.
Synonyms
alteration, change, modification
Examples of usage
- The inflexion of the verb changes its tense.
- English uses minimal inflexion compared to Latin.
- Inflexion can alter a word's case.
- The teacher explained the inflexion of adjectives.
Translations
Translations of the word "inflexion" in other languages:
🇵🇹 flexão
🇮🇳 संधि
🇩🇪 Beugung
🇮🇩 infleksi
🇺🇦 зміна
🇵🇱 infleksja
🇯🇵 屈折
🇫🇷 flexion
🇪🇸 flexión
🇹🇷 bükülme
🇰🇷 굴절
🇸🇦 انحناء
🇨🇿 ohyb
🇸🇰 ohyb
🇨🇳 弯曲
🇸🇮 upogib
🇮🇸 beyging
🇰🇿 иілту
🇬🇪 გატეხვა
🇦🇿 bükülmə
🇲🇽 flexión
Word origin
The term 'inflexion' originates from the Latin word 'inflectere', which means 'to bend' or 'to turn'. This reflects the nature of inflexion in linguistics, where words bend or change form to fit different grammatical contexts. The concept can be traced back to the ancient study of grammar, particularly during the time of the Romans, who analyzed the structure of Latin, a highly inflected language. In modern linguistics, inflexion has been studied extensively, leading to insights into how languages evolve and how they are structured. The distinction between inflexion and derivation has also been a significant area of focus, as both processes play vital roles in word formation. Over time, especially in the development of Indo-European languages, the understanding and application of inflexion have evolved, leading to diverse grammatical frameworks in languages worldwide.