affix

[ verb uh-fiks; noun af-iks ]

See synonyms for: affix affixed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to fasten, join, or attach (usually followed by to): to affix stamps to a letter.
to put or add on; append: to affix a signature to a contract.

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

noun

something that is joined or attached.
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.

Origin of affix

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

Other words from affix

af·fix·a·ble, adjective
af·fix·al [a-fik-suhl], /æˈfɪk səl/, af·fix·i·al [a-fik-see-uhl], /æˈfɪk si əl/, adjective
af·fix·er, noun
af·fix·ment, noun
re·af·fix, verb (used with object)
un·af·fixed, adjective

Compare combining form.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use affix in a sentence

His wife, Rita, would wait and pray until she would hear the bicycle squeeze horn he had affixed to the chair.
How Brooklyn’s First Ice Cream Girl Fought City Hall–and Won | Michael Daly | October 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Cordice affixed a surgical clamp to the blade to accord a grip on it.
The Black and White Men Who Saved Martin Luther King’s Life | Michael Daly | January 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When her bra was cut from her body, the assassin or assassins also cut off the tab on which the tiny metal clasp was affixed.
Amanda Knox Faces Another Guilty Verdict | Barbie Latza Nadeau | January 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I have died when other players affixed magnetic sticky bombs to the cars I have stolen.
My Secret Life in Los Santos | Eli Lake | November 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
One young woman had affixed Post-its to the wall reading “Welcome Home Annie!”
A Tale of Thanksgiving Triumph | Michael Daly | November 28, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

The churchyard was partly surrounded by houses, and in 1781 "iron pallisadoes" were affixed to the wall.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
In faith whereof, we, the respective Plenipotentiaries, have signed this treaty and have hereunto affixed our seals.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
As between them the law presumes that the seller intended to keep the things affixed to the house, especially ranges and the like.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
The slings were affixed, the order to hoist was given by the mate, who had descended from the poop, and stood near the gangway.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. Ballantyne
They affixed a notice outside, inviting all passers-by to come in and inspect the things for sale.
Black Diamonds | Mr Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for affix

affix

verb(əˈfɪks) (tr; usually foll by to or on)

to attach, fasten, join, or stick: to affix a poster to the wall
to add or append: to affix a signature to a document

to attach or attribute (guilt, blame, etc)

noun(ˈæfɪks)

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
something fastened or attached; appendage

Origin of affix

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

Derived forms of affix

affixation (ˌæfɪkˈseɪʃən) or affixture (əˈfɪkstʃə), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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