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 Word Forms

• 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

“Under this well-settled legal understanding,” the OLC opinion continued, “an individual could sign a document by directing that his signature be affixed to it by another.”

From Salon

It’s an artificial-intelligence-generated tool that reviews the article to affix a ranking on where the piece supposedly lands on the political spectrum.

From Los Angeles Times

Oliverson's name is regularly affixed to some of the most hateful legislation coming out of the Lone Star State.

From Salon

As a celebrity businessman, he affixed his name to the facades of his skyscrapers and licensed his name to an array of products, from hotels to wines.

From BBC

As the story goes, Hockney appeared on deck with a bucket of blue paint and a broom affixed with a paintbrush to get the job done.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• append
• fasten
• glue
• paste
• tack