infix

verb in·fix \ ˈin-ˌfiks , in-ˈfiks \

Updated on: 5 Apr 2018

Definition of infix

transitive verb

1 : to fasten or fix by piercing or thrusting in

2 : to impress firmly in the consciousness or disposition

3 : to insert (a sound or letter) as an infix

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infixation

play \ˌin-(ˌ)fik-ˈsā-shən\ noun

infix was our Word of the Day on 03/27/2014. Hear the podcast!

Examples of infix in a Sentence

a puzzling detail that had been infixed in the detective's mind for over a decade
a football coach celebrated for infixing in his players an all-consuming will to win

Origin and Etymology of infix

Latin infixus, past participle of infigere, from in- + figere to fasten — more at fix

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First Known Use: 1502

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infix Synonyms

Synonyms

breed, enroot, implant, inculcate, inseminate, instill, plant, sow;

Related Words

drive, hammer, pound;

embed (also imbed), entrench (also intrench), fix, lodge, root;

imbue, infuse, ingrain (also engrain), inoculate, invest, steep, suffuse;

Synonym Discussion of infix

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind. implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

- implanted a love of reading in her students

inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

- tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

- instill traditional values in your children

inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas in many minds so that they spread through a class or nation.

- inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology

infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

- infixed a chronic cynicism

infix

noun in·fix \ ˈin-ˌfiks \

Definition of infix

: a derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word (such as Sanskrit -n- in vindami "I know" as contrasted with vid "to know")

Recent Examples of infix from the Web

The path of the infix is uncertain, but linguist Joshua Viau has found similar examples in 1960s radio broadcasts and early 1970s drug slang.

— mark peters, BostonGlobe.com, "Pig Latin is alive and ellway," 11 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infix.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.