Grammar. an affix placed before a base or another prefix, as un- in unkind, un- and re- in unrewarding.
2.
something prefixed, as a title before a person's name.
–verb (used with object)
3.
to fix or put before or in front: to prefix an impressive title to one's name.
4.
Grammar. to add as a prefix.
5.
to fix, settle, or appoint beforehand.
Origin: 1375–1425; (v.) late ME prefixen < MF prefixer < L praefixus, ptp. of praefīgere to set up in front; see pre-, fix; (n.) < NL praefixum, neut. of praefixus
Grammar An affix, such as dis- in disbelieve, attached to the front of a word to produce a derivative word or an inflected form.
A title placed before a person's name.
[Middle English prefixen, from Old French prefixer : pre-, before (from Latin prae-; see pre-) + fixer, to place (from Latin fīxus, past participle of fīgere, to fasten; see dhīgw- in Indo-European roots). N., from New Latin praefīxum, from neuter sing. of Latin praefīxus, past participle of praefīgere, to fix in front : prae-, pre- + fīgere, to fasten.] pre'fix'al adj., pre'fix'al·ly adv., pre'fix·a'tion (-fĭk-sā'shən), pre·fix'ion (-fĭk'shən) n.
[n. pree-fiks; v. pree-fiks, pree-fiks] 
