affix

[ verb uh-fiks; noun af-iks ]
See synonyms for: affixaffixed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to fasten, join, or attach (usually followed by to): to affix stamps to a letter.

  2. to put or add on; append: to affix a signature to a contract.

  1. to impress (a seal or stamp).

  2. to attach (blame, reproach, ridicule, etc.).

noun
  1. something that is joined or attached.

  2. Grammar. a bound inflectional or derivational element, as a prefix, infix, or suffix, added to a base or stem to form a fresh stem or a word, as -ed added to want to form wanted, or im- added to possible to form impossible.

Origin of affix

1
1525–35; <Latin affīxus fastened to (past participle of affīgere), equivalent to af-af- + fīg- fasten + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix

Other words from affix

  • af·fix·a·ble, adjective
  • af·fix·al [a-fik-suhl], /æˈfɪk səl/, af·fix·i·al [a-fik-see-uhl], /æˈfɪk si əl/, adjective
  • af·fix·er, noun
  • af·fix·ment, noun
  • re·af·fix, verb (used with object)
  • un·af·fixed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use affix in a sentence

  • The churchyard was partly surrounded by houses, and in 1781 "iron pallisadoes" were affixed to the wall.

    Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
  • In faith whereof, we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have signed this treaty and have hereunto affixed our seals.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • As between them the law presumes that the seller intended to keep the things affixed to the house, especially ranges and the like.

  • The slings were affixed, the order to hoist was given by the mate, who had descended from the poop, and stood near the gangway.

  • They affixed a notice outside, inviting all passers-by to come in and inspect the things for sale.

    Black Diamonds | Mr Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for affix

affix

verb(əˈfɪks) (tr; usually foll by to or on)
  1. to attach, fasten, join, or stick: to affix a poster to the wall

  2. to add or append: to affix a signature to a document

  1. to attach or attribute (guilt, blame, etc)

noun(ˈæfɪks)
  1. a linguistic element added to a word or root to produce a derived or inflected form: -ment in establishment is a derivational affix; -s in drowns is an inflectional affix: See also prefix, suffix, infix

  2. something fastened or attached; appendage

Origin of affix

1
C15: from Medieval Latin affixāre, from ad- to + fixāre to fix

Derived forms of affix

  • affixation (ˌæfɪkˈseɪʃən) or affixture (əˈfɪkstʃə), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012