verb (used with object)
- to fasten, join, or attach (usually followed by to): to affix stamps to a letter.
- to put or add on; append: to affix a signature to a contract.
- to impress (a seal or stamp).
- to attach (blame, reproach, ridicule, etc.).
noun
- something that is joined or attached.
- 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.
verb (əˈfɪks) (tr; usually foll by to or on)
- to attach, fasten, join, or stickto affix a poster to the wall
- to add or appendto affix a signature to a document
- to attach or attribute (guilt, blame, etc)
noun (ˈæfɪks)
- 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 affixSee also prefix, suffix, infix
- something fastened or attached; appendage
1610s, from affix (v.).
1530s, from Medieval Latin affixare, frequentative of Latin affigere (past participle affixus) “fasten to, attach,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + figere “fasten” (see fix (v.)).
First used by Scottish writers and perhaps from Middle French affixer, a temporarily re-Latinized spelling of Old French afichier (Modern French afficher). Related: Affixed; affixing.