superfix

[ soo-per-fiks ]

/ ˈsu pərˌfɪks /

noun

a suprasegmental feature having an identifiable meaning or grammatical function, as the stress pattern that distinguishes the noun record from the verb record or the parallel falling stress patterns of blackbird and highchair, reflecting a parallel relationship between the elements.

Nearby words

Origin of superfix

1945–50; super- + -fix, extracted from affix, infix, etc.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for superfix

Compare the ending sign, which appears as the superfix in glyph 8a, with figure 37, a-h.
An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs|Sylvanus Griswold Morley
The upper vessel contains a Kan, but the sign has a superfix, which corresponds to the sign for the west.
Commentary on the Maya Manuscript in the Royal Public Library of Dresden|Ernst Frsteman
The superfix of figure 16, o, p, has been retained unchanged as the superfix in A5b.
An Introduction to the Study of the Maya Hieroglyphs|Sylvanus Griswold Morley
For 19 is the sign for Venus, and 20 is a hand with a knife as a superfix, which divides the Venus revolution.
Commentary on the Maya Manuscript in the Royal Public Library of Dresden|Ernst Frsteman

Under him lies his own head with the Imix-Kan sign, denoting food and drink, as a superfix.
Commentary on the Maya Manuscript in the Royal Public Library of Dresden|Ernst Frsteman

British Dictionary definitions for superfix

superfix

/ (ˈsuːpəˌfɪks) /

noun

linguistics a suprasegmental feature distinguishing the meaning or grammatical function of one word or phrase from that of another, as stress does for example between the noun conduct and the verb conduct

Word Origin for superfix

from super- + -fix, on the model of prefix, suffix

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