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Inflection vs Deflection - What's the difference?

inflection | deflection |

As nouns the difference between inflection and deflection

is that inflection is a change in the form of a word that reflects a change in grammatical function while deflection is the act of deflecting or something deflected.

inflection

Alternative forms

* inflexion

Noun

  • (grammar) A change in the form of a word that reflects a change in grammatical function.
  • an inflection for gender, number, or tense
  • A change in pitch or tone of voice.
  • (mathematics) A change in curvature from concave to convex or from convex to concave.
  • A turning away from a straight course.
  • (optometry) diffraction
  • Synonyms

    * flection * flexion

    Hyponyms

    * (grammar) conjugation * (grammar) declension

    deflection

    Alternative forms

    * deflexion (British)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of deflecting or something deflected.
  • * 1918 , H. G. Wells, Joan and Peter
  • The next morning Oswald stopped short in the middle of his shaving, which in his case involved the most tortuous deflections and grimacings.
  • The deviation of a needle or other indicator from its previous position.