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

They affixed six small microphones across the headband.

From Science Daily

Estrada credited the media for breaking the story — which really meant Gerda, who used to affix mics to my shirt when he was an intern at Orange County’s PBS channel about 15 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s when probation officers first affixed a GPS device on his ankle.

From Los Angeles Times

Once the hologram was affixed, the authenticator handed it back to Smith, who said, “I’m gonna give it to Walker.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Hey, if you have any trouble, let somebody know,” the rescue worker told the residents as they clung on to a yellow rope affixed with buoys and began to be escorted outside to safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• append
• fasten
• glue
• paste
• tack