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

To stick over, as with sharp points pressed in; to mark by infixing points or spots here and there; to pierce.

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

Thus was I transplanted to the soil where I grew to my appointed stature;—a kindly soil and habitat wherein not a few fibers of my affections are left infixed.

From Project Gutenberg

Between these prefixes and the noun or verb, pronominal infixes are introduced, by which possession is denoted in the case of a noun, and the subject in that of a verb.

From Project Gutenberg

An infixing stillness, now thrust a long rivet through the night, and fast nailed it to that side of the world.

From Project Gutenberg