Pronunciation: [ɪnflˈɪktɪv] (IPA) 
The word "inflictive" is spelled with three syllables and a primary stress on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription of "inflictive" is /ɪnˈflɪktɪv/. This means that the 'i' in the first syllable sounds like the short 'i' in 'sit', while the 'o' in the second syllable sounds like the 'o' in 'hot'. The 't' at the end of the word is pronounced. Inflictive is an adjective that refers to something that causes pain or harm.
Inflictive is an adjective that describes something as causing or imposing suffering, harm, or punishment upon someone or something. It derives from the word "inflict," which means to cause or impose something unpleasant or harmful on someone or something.
In the context of physical harm or punishment, inflictive refers to actions or behaviors that cause physical pain or injury. For example, using physical force to harm someone or inflicting physical punishment on a person as a means of discipline can be described as an inflictive act.
Inflictive can also be used in a more metaphorical sense, describing actions or words that cause emotional or psychological harm or distress to someone. This can include behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or verbal abuse, where intentional harm is inflicted upon another person's feelings or mental well-being.
Additionally, the term "inflictive" can also be used to describe the imposition of negative consequences or punishment upon someone as a means of discipline or justice. For instance, the infliction of fines or imprisonment as a legal penalty for committing a crime can be referred to as inflictive measures.
Overall, inflictive denotes the act of causing suffering, harm, or punishment upon someone or something, whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, or punitive in nature.
Able or tending to inflict.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "inflictive" derives from the verb "inflict", which comes from the Latin word "inflictus", the past participle of "infligere". "Infligere" is a combination of the prefix "in-" (meaning "upon" or "into") and the verb "fligere" (meaning "to strike" or "to dash against"). Thus, "inflict" originally referred to striking or dashing something upon someone or something. The suffix "-ive" is added to "inflict" to form the adjective form "inflictive", which means causing or involving the act of inflicting.
