fixation

[fik-sey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of fixing or the state of being fixed.

2. Chemistry.

   1. reduction from a volatile or fluid to a stable or solid form.

   2. the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a useful compound, as a nitrate fertilizer.

3. Photography.,  the process of rendering an image permanent by removal of light-sensitive silver halides.

4. Psychoanalysis.,  a partial arrest of emotional and instinctual development at an early point in life, due to a severe traumatic experience or an overwhelming gratification.

5. a preoccupation with one subject, issue, etc.; obsession.

   All her life she had a fixation on stories of violent death.

fixation

/ fɪkˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of fixing or the state of being fixed

2. a preoccupation or obsession

3. psychol

   1. the act of fixating

   2. (in psychoanalytical schools) a strong attachment of a person to another person or an object in early life

4. chem

   1. the conversion of nitrogen in the air into a compound, esp a fertilizer

   2. the conversion of a free element into one of its compounds

5. the reduction of a substance from a volatile or fluid form to a nonvolatile or solid form

Other Word Forms

• nonfixation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fixation¹

1350–1400; Middle English fixacion < Medieval Latin fixātiōn- (stem of fixātiō ) a reduction to a fixed state. See fix, -ation

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Lockjaw’s Perfidia fixation chafes against his desire to join a clique of snooty white nationalists invented for the film called the Christmas Adventurers Club.

From Los Angeles Times

And he has at times lashed out at his own base for their fixation on the story - an interest he encouraged as recently as last year.

From BBC

A second phase of the inquiry is expected to look at addressing the risk posed by young people who have a fixation with extreme violence.

From BBC

I wish I could say this extreme level of disorder and violence is uncommon, but people kill themselves and each other every day because of relationship fixation and obsession.

From Los Angeles Times

She said his autism and isolation could have facilitated his retreat into the online world and his fixation with violence and weapons.

From BBC

Related Words

• fascination 
• infatuation 
• preoccupation