prefix

¹pre·fix

verb

Definition of PREFIX

transitive verb

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