An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. General: To bend in, to turn from a direct line or course.
   
2. Grammar: To change the ending or form of a word in accordance with other words in a sentence. To apply → inflection to.

Etymology (EN): From M.E. inflecten, from L. inflectere “to bend in, bow, curve,” figuratively, “to change,” from → in- + flectere “to bend, to curve,” of uncertain origin.

Etymology (PE): Darcaftidan, from dar-, → in-, + caftidan, → flex.