infix

American  

[in-fiks, in-fiks, in-fiks] / ɪnˈfɪks, ˈɪnˌfɪks, ˈɪnˌfɪks /

noun

1. Grammar. a morpheme or an entire word that is inserted within the body of another word or element, as Latin m in accumbō “I lie down,” as compared with accubuī “I lay down.”

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verb (used with object)

infixed, infixing

1. to fix, fasten, or drive in.

   He infixed the fatal spear.

2. to instill (a fact, idea, etc.) in the mind or memory; impress.

   Your childhood trauma infixed these specific fears in your mind.

   Synonyms:

   inculcate

3. Grammar. to add as an infix.

   The English language infixes only a small set of expletives and euphemisms, as in “fan-freakin-tastic” or “abso-bloody-lutely.”

verb (used without object)

infixed, infixing

1. Grammar. (of a linguistic form) to admit an infix.

   Polysyllabic words in English infix just before the stressed syllable, as in “abso-frickin-LUTEly.”

adjective

1. Mathematics, Computers. of or relating to operator notation that occurs between the operands, such as the symbols for addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division when written in a linear equation.

   We are familiar with infix notation from elementary math class, and it can also be used in logic statements or computer programming languages.

infix British  

/ ɪnˈfɪkʃən /

verb

1. (tr) to fix firmly in

2. (tr) to instil or inculcate

3. grammar to insert (an affix) or (of an affix) to be inserted into the middle of a word

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noun

1. grammar an affix inserted into the middle of a word

Other Word Forms

• infixation
  noun
• infixion
  noun
• uninfixed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of infix

First recorded in 1495–1505; from Latin infīxus, past participle of infīgere “to fasten in”; see in- ², fix

Example Sentences

But CPL uses infix notation; I’d have to get all the operator precedence right to generate Lisp code with the parens in the right place.

From Scientific American • Aug. 23, 2011

Inset, in′set, n. something set in, an insertion, esp. a leaf or leaves inserted in other leaves already folded.—v.t. to set in, to infix or implant.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Consider that innumerable race of insects, which either are bred on the body of each animal, or, flying about, infix their stings in him.

From Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by Hume, David

Node:2, Next:404, Previous:120 reset, Up:= 0 = 2 infix.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.

It has been proved at large, that the influence of belief is at once to inliven and infix any idea in the imagination, and prevent all kind of hesitation and uncertainty about it.

From A Treatise of Human Nature by Hume, David