prefix

The definition of a prefix is a word or part of a word that is placed at the beginning of another word to change its meaning.

(noun)

An example of prefix is adding extra to ordinary, creating extraordinary.

See prefix in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

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

noun

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)
a title that is placed before a person's name, as Dr.
an identifying letter or number placed before another number, etc.

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

Related Forms:

See prefix in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb pre·fixed, pre·fix·ing, pre·fix·es

noun

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.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English prefixen

Origin: , from Old French prefixer

Origin: : pre-, before (from Latin prae-; see pre-)

Origin: + fixer, to place (from Latin fīxus, past participle of fīgere, to fasten; see dhīg^w- in Indo-European roots)

Origin: . N., from New Latin praefīxum

Origin: , from neuter sing. of Latin praefīxus

Origin: , past participle of praefīgere, to fix in front

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + fīgere, to fasten

Related Forms: