infix

[ verb in-fiks, in-fiks; noun in-fiks ]

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.”

verb (used with object)

, in·fixed, in·fix·ing.

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)

, in·fixed, in·fix·ing.

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

/ 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

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˌinfixˈation, noun

Other Words From

• in·fix·a·tion [in-fiks-, ey, -sh, uh, n], in·fix·ion [in-, fik, -sh, uh, n], noun
• un·in·fixed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of infix¹

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

Example Sentences

What confidence can a parent have in praying for a son who is going to a country where vice abounds, if he has done little or nothing to infix in his boy’s mind a love of virtue?

From Project Gutenberg

“A single ball of sight was fix’d In their mid-forehead: hence the Cyclops’ name: For that one circular eye was broad infix’d In the mid-forehead:—strength was theirs, and force, And craft of curious toil.”

From Project Gutenberg

"Cornua obnixi infigunt," fix their horns, not on, but in; infix their horns; stick their horns into each other; stick each other with their horns: q.d.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

Engrain, en-grān′, Ingrain, in-, v.t. to dye of a fast or lasting colour: to dye in the raw state: to infix deeply.—n.

From Project Gutenberg