affix

[ verb uh-fiks; noun af-iks ]

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten, join, or attach (usually followed by to ):

   to affix stamps to a letter.

2. to put or add on; append:

   to affix a signature to a contract.

3. to impress (a seal or stamp).
4. to attach (blame, reproach, ridicule, etc.).

noun

1. something that is joined or attached.
2. Grammar. a bound inflectional or derivational element, as a prefix, infix, or suffix, added to a base or stem to form a fresh stem or a word, as -ed added to want to form wanted, or im- added to possible to form impossible.

affix

/ ˌæfɪkˈseɪʃən; əˈfɪkstʃə /

verb

1. to attach, fasten, join, or stick

   to affix a poster to the wall

2. to add or append

   to affix a signature to a document

3. to attach or attribute (guilt, blame, etc)

noun

1. a linguistic element added to a word or root to produce a derived or inflected form: -ment in establishment is a derivational affix; -s in drowns is an inflectional affix See also prefix suffix infix
2. something fastened or attached; appendage

Derived Forms

• affixation, noun

Other Words From

• af·fixa·ble adjective
• af·fix·al [a-, fik, -s, uh, l], af·fix·i·al [a-, fik, -see-, uh, l], adjective
• af·fixer noun
• af·fixment noun
• reaf·fix verb (used with object)
• unaf·fixed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of affix¹

1525–35; < Latin affīxus fastened to (past participle of affīgere ), equivalent to af- af- + fīg- fasten + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of affix¹

C15: from Medieval Latin affixāre, from ad- to + fixāre to fix

Example Sentences

But what we don't get from Rubin or Harris is why exactly Hagel refused to affix his name to the letter.

From The Daily Beast

And he did, in fact, affix his Hancock to the tax increases in question.

From The Daily Beast

We were taught impeccable manners—to this day I neurotically affix too many pleases and thank-yous to everything.

From The Daily Beast

Conny stepped smilingly forward, and proceeded to affix the band around the vicar's massive throat.

From Project Gutenberg

Run a narrow velvet through the holes of the third row and affix wider velvet ends, or chenille tassels to each extremity.

From Project Gutenberg

Twelve different works he had before written and published, and all without the affix of his name.

From Project Gutenberg

Pitt proposed to provide for the royal assent by placing the great seal in a commission with authority to affix it to the bill.

From Project Gutenberg

Under each word the force of the prefix is usually given, though not the affix.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• append
• fasten
• glue
• paste
• tack