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prefix definition

pre·fix (prē′fiks′; for v., also prē fiks′)

transitive verb

  1. to fix to the beginning of a word, etc.; esp., to add as a prefix
  2. Rare to fix beforehand

Etymology: ME prefyxen < MFr prefixer < L praefixus, pp. of praefigere < prae-, before (see pre-) + figere, to fix

noun

  1. a syllable, group of syllables, or word joined to the beginning of another word or a base to alter its meaning or create a new word (Ex.: pre- in precool, un- in unsure)
  2. a title that is placed before a person's name, as Dr.
  3. an identifying letter or number placed before another number, etc.

Etymology: ModL praefixum < neut. of L praefixus: see prefixthe

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

prefix Synonyms

prefix

n.

  1. An addition

    affix, adjunct, preflex, prefixture.

  2. A designation

    title, cognomen, designation; see name 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

prefix Usage Examples

Converse of subject

  • precede: This is typically the name of the overlapping gene preceded by the laboratory prefix.

Converse of object

  • dialing: Dialing the prefix 141 does not block your identification Call Challenging Use it - don't abuse it!

Adjective modifier

  • multiplicative: Use of a multiplicative prefix does not affect the alphabetical order of citation of components attached at the same level.

Modifies a noun

  • notation: The macro converts from fully parenthesised algebraic notation to Polish prefix notation.

Noun used with modifier

  • namespace: The DOM Level 2 does not support any mechanism to resolve namespace prefixes.
prefix usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"prefix." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/prefix>

APA Style

prefix. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/prefix

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