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

vary the intonation or pitch of (the voice), especially to express mood or feeling

his slight voice, inflected with a token touch of grit

bend or deflect (something), especially inwards

particles readily inflect, deflect and jostle one another