Prefix Definition

prēfĭks
prefixed, prefixes, prefixing
verb
prefixed, prefixes, prefixing
To put or attach before or in front of.
American Heritage
To fix beforehand.
Webster's New World
To settle or arrange in advance.
American Heritage
To fix to the beginning of a word, etc.; esp., to add as a prefix.
Webster's New World
To add a prefix to.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
noun
prefixes
An affix, such as dis- in disbelieve, attached to the front of a word to produce a derivative word or an inflected form.
American Heritage
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)
Webster's New World
A title that is placed before a person's name, as Dr.
Webster's New World
An identifying letter or number placed before another number, etc.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Prefix

Noun

Singular:
prefix
Plural:
prefixes

Origin of Prefix

  • Middle English prefixen from Old French prefixer pre- before (from Latin prae- pre–) fixer to place (from Latin fīxus) (past participle of fīgere to fasten 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

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle French prefixer (verb) and Late Latin praefixum (noun), both from Latin praefixus, past participle of praefÄ«gō (“I (fix, fasten, set up) in front", “I fix on the (end, extremity)") (from prae- (“before") + fÄ«gō (“I fix", “I fasten", “I affix")).

    From Wiktionary

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