PREFIX

prefix

(noun) an affix that is added in front of the word

prefix

(verb) attach a prefix to; “prefixed words”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

prefix (plural prefixes)

Something placed before another

(grammar, linguistic morphology) A morpheme added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning, for example as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure, re- in reheat, etc.

Synonyms: foresyllable (rare), prefixum (archaic)

Antonym: suffix

Hypernym: affix (broad sense)

(telecommunications) A set of digits placed before a telephone number, to indicate where the number is based, what type of phone number it is (landline, mobile, toll-free, premium rate etc.)

A title added to a person's name, such as Mr. or Dr.

(computing) An initial segment of a string of characters.

Usage notes

• Though much less common, a plural form prefices is seen as well, apparently formed by analogy with index–indices, appendix–appendices, and so on, but it is not a standard plural and has no basis in the Latin origin of the term.

Synonyms

• forefix (rare)

Coordinate terms

• (types of affixes): adfix, affix, ambifix, circumfix, confix, infix, interfix, libfix, postfix, prefix, suffix, suprafix

Verb

prefix (third-person singular simple present prefixes, present participle prefixing, simple past and past participle prefixed)

(transitive) To determine beforehand; to set in advance. [from 15^thc.]

(transitive) To put or fix before, or at the beginning of something; to place at the start. [from 16^thc.]

Anagrams

• perfix

Source: Wiktionary

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Pre*fix", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prefixed; p. pr. & vb. n. Prefixing.] Etym: [L. praefixus, p. p. of praefigere to fix or fasten before; prae before + figere to fix: cf. F. préfix fixed beforehand, determined, préfixer to prefix. See Fix.]

1. To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition to an agreement.

2. To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish antecedently. [Obs.] " Prefixed bounds. " Locke. And now he hath to her prefixt a day. Spenser.

Pre"fix, n. Etym: [Cf. F. préfixe.]

Definition: That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to modify its signification; as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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