superfix

[ soo-per-fiks ]

noun

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

superfix

/ ˈsuːpəˌfɪks /

noun

1. 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 History and Origins

Origin of superfix¹

First recorded in 1945–50; super- + -fix, extracted from affix, suffix, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of superfix¹

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

Example Sentences

In the affixes, the superfix and prefix positions may as a general rule be regarded as wholly identical; also the subfix and postfix positions.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the wing affix to the right is certainly a postfix, the superfix is in the usual left to right order, and the main element written left to right, as in all its other instances.

From Project Gutenberg