inflectiveadj.
/ɪnˈflɛktɪv/, U.S. /ᵻnˈflɛktɪv/ 1. Having the quality of inflecting; tending to inflect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > air > [adjective] > specific qualities of (the) air > tending to inflect
inflecting1666
inflective1666
1666 Philos. Trans. 1665–6 (Royal Soc.) 1 240 The Inflective veins of the Air (if I may so call those parts, which..have a greater or less Refractive power than the Air next adjoyning).
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. i. i. 13 Although this inflective Quality of the Air be a great Incumbrance and Confusion of Astronomical Observations.
2. Pertaining to or characterized by grammatical inflection.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > inflection > [adjective]
inflective1799
inflectional1832
flexional1833
fusional1921
1799 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. 28 569 Inflective and derivative syllables.
1875 W. D. Whitney Life & Growth Lang. vi. 104 The glories of a completely inflective language.
1885 E. Clodd Myths & Dreams i. iv. 76 Their language had passed into the inflective or highest stage.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1666