in-flecto, exi, exum, 3, v. a., to bend, bow, curve.
I Lit.: cum ferrum se inflexisset, Caes. B. G. 1, 25: bacillum, Cic. Div. 1, 17: capillum leniter, Suet. Aug. 79. —Mid.: sinus ad urbem inflectitur, bends itself , curves round , Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 12, § 30: montes inflexi theatrali modo, Plin. 4, 8, 15, § 30: nullum cursus sui vestigium, to turn aside , Cic. N. D. 2, 19, 49.—
B In partic.
1 To change , alter , modulate , mitigate a tone: voces cantu, Tib. 1, 8, 37: vox inflexa, a plaintive tone , Cic. Or. 17 fin. ; Mart. Cap. 3, § 268 sqq.—
2 In gram., to mark or pronounce with a circumflex accent , Arn. 1, p. 44; cf.: agite, equi, facitote sonitus ungularum appareat: Cursu celeri facite inflexa sit pedum pernicitas, i.e. beat quick time with your feet , Plaut. Men. 5, 2, 113.—
II Trop., to change , affect , aller , pervert : solus hic inflexit sensus, Verg. A. 4, 22: jus civile gratiā, Cic. Caecin. 26, 73: orationem, manner or style of speaking , id. Brut. 9, 38: magnitudinem animi, to lessen , id. Fam. 1, 7.