adjective
noun Also fix·a·tif [fik-suh-tiv, -teef] /ˈfɪk sə tɪv, -ˌtif/.
- a fixative substance, as a gummy liquid sprayed on a drawing to prevent blurring, or a solution for killing, hardening, and preserving material for microscopic study.
- Also called fixer. Photography. a chemical substance, as sodium thiosulfate, used to promote fixation.
- a substance that retards evaporation, as in the manufacture of perfume.
adjective
- serving or tending to fix
noun
- a fluid usually consisting of a transparent resin, such as shellac, dissolved in alcohol and sprayed over drawings to prevent smudging
- cytology a fluid, such as formaldehyde or ethanol, that fixes tissues and cells for microscopic study
- a substance added to a liquid, such as a perfume, to make it less volatile
1640s, from fix (v.) + -ative, suffix meaning “of or related to; tending to.” As a noun, from 1870.
adj.
- Serving to fix, bind, or make firm or stable.
n.
- A substance used for the preservation of tissue or cell specimens.