fixative

[ fik-suh-tiv ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

a fixative substance, as a gummy liquid sprayed on a drawing to prevent blurring, or a solution for killing, hardening, and preserving material for microscopic study.
Also called fixer. Photography. a chemical substance, as sodium thiosulfate, used to promote fixation.
a substance that retards evaporation, as in the manufacture of perfume.

fixative

/ ˈfɪksətɪv /

a fluid usually consisting of a transparent resin, such as shellac, dissolved in alcohol and sprayed over drawings to prevent smudging
cytology a fluid, such as formaldehyde or ethanol, that fixes tissues and cells for microscopic study
a substance added to a liquid, such as a perfume, to make it less volatile

First recorded in 1635–45; fix + -ative

I sent a shower of spray from the fixative over the canvas, and said: “Well, go on.”

Of these, Lang's corrosive sublimate solution is decidedly the best all-round "fixative."

Heat your fixative as you would sealing wax, over a candle, also heat the arrow and the metal head.

Bandoline, a fixative for keeping hair in curl is commonly prepared from carrageen.

Scotty wiped both with fixative and put them on the floor to dry.

Baldwin brought a bottle of fixative and sprayed the drawing through a blowpipe.

April 22, 2024steadfast

[sted-fast]

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