affix

Noun

affix (plural affixes)

1. A bound morpheme added to a word’s stem, such as a prefix or suffix.
   • A prefix is an affix that joins to the beginning of another word. Depending on the prefix, it can slightly or significantly alter the meaning of a word. For example, the English prefix “un-” changes a word into its opposite, as from “do” to “undo,” altering its meaning entirely.2020 March 14, Lindsay del Valle, “36 Spanish Prefixes That Will Increase Your Vocabulary Times 100!”, in Homeschool Spanish Academy, archived from the original on 15 Aug 2025

   Synonyms:

   afformative

   Antonyms:

   nonaffix

2. (uncommon) That which is affixed; an appendage.

   Synonyms:

   addition, supplement, accessory, accompaniment, add-on, adjunct, annex, infusion, apanage, appendage

3. The complex number a+bi associated with the point in the Gauss plane with coordinates (a,b).
4. (decorative art) Any small feature, as a figure, a flower, or the like, added for ornament to a vessel or other utensil, to an architectural feature.

Verb

IPA/əˈfɪks/

affix (third-person singular simple present affixes, present participle affixing, simple past and past participle affixed)

1. (transitive) To attach.
   • to affix a stigma to a person
   • to affix ridicule or blame to somebody

   Synonyms:

   join, put together, unite, accouple, assemble, associate, attach, bewed, bind, clasp

2. (transitive) To subjoin, annex, or add at the close or end; to append to.
   • to affix a syllable to a word
   • to affix a seal to an instrument
3. (ditransitive, with on or upon) To fix or fasten figuratively.
   • eyes affixed upon the ground
   • Look thou no further, but affix thine eye/On that bright, shiny, round, still moving mass,/The house of blessed gods, which men call sky,/All sow'd with glist'ring stars more thick than grass...1596, Edmund Spenser, An Hymn of Heavenly Beauty