flect/flex

bend

Spelled flect, flex · flectere 'to bend'

Latin flectere meant bend: flexible reeds bend, a shield deflects arrows away, and kneeling worshippers genuflect.

Words built from it

reflect — to bend back light or sound, or to think deeply
re- (back) + flect (bend)
deflect — to cause something to change direction
de- (away) + flect (bend)
flexible — capable of bending without breaking, adaptable
flex (bend) + -ible (able to be)
inflect — to change the tone or form of a word or voice
in- (into) + flect (bend)
reflex — an automatic, unthinking response
re- (back) + flex (bend)
inflexible — unable to bend or adapt, rigid
in- (not) + flex (bend) + -ible
genuflect — to bend the knee in respect or worship
genu (knee) + flect (bend)