prefix

¹pre·fix

transitive verb

Definition of PREFIX

1

\(ˌ)prē-ˈfiks\ : to fix or appoint beforehand

2

\ˈprē-ˌ, prē-ˈ\ [partly from ²prefix] : to place in front; especially : to add as a prefix <prefix a syllable to a word>

Examples of PREFIX

1. Prefix “un” to “do” to form the word “undo.”
2. The cost of the item was prefixed by a dollar sign.

Origin of PREFIX

Middle English, from Middle French prefixer, from Latin praefixus

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with PREFIX

admix, affix, commix, deep-six, immix, infix, postfix, premix, prix fixe, prolix, quick fix, suffix, trail mix, transfix, unfix

²pre·fix

noun \ˈprē-ˌfiks\

Definition of PREFIX

1

: an affix attached to the beginning of a word, base, or phrase and serving to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form — compare suffix

2

: a title used before a person's name

— pre·fix·al \ˈprē-ˌfik-səl, prē-ˈ\ adjective

Examples of PREFIX

1. Add the prefix “re-” to form the words “retell” and “recall.”

Origin of PREFIX

New Latin praefixum, from Latin, neuter of praefixus, past participle of praefigere to fasten before, from prae- + figere to fasten — more at fix

First Known Use: 1646

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

³pre·fix

adjective \same as ²\

Definition of PREFIX

: characterized by placement of an operator before its operand or before its two operands if it is a binary operator — compare infix, postfix

First Known Use of PREFIX

1971

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism