prefix etymology

Prefix

Etymology:

  • From Middle French préfix (16th century), from Old French prefix (14th century), from Late Latin praefixus ("fixed or placed in front"), from prae ("before") + fixus ("fixed").

Meaning and Origin:

A prefix is an affix that is placed before a word, base, or stem to modify its meaning. In English, prefixes are commonly used in the formation of new words or to alter the grammatical function of an existing word.

Prefixes can originate from various sources, including:

  • Latin: Many English prefixes come from Latin, such as anti- ("against"), de- ("from"), and re- ("back").
  • Greek: Some prefixes are derived from Greek, such as auto- ("self") and hyper- ("over").
  • French: A small number ofprefixes originate from French, such as pre- ("before") and dis- ("apart").
  • Other Languages: Some rare prefixes come from other languages, such as archi- ("chief") from Persian and nano- ("dwarf") from Greek.

Prefixes can have a variety of functions, including:

  • Negation: Negating the meaning of the base word, e.g., unhappy.
  • Change of Form or State: Indicating a change in form or state, e.g., remake.
  • Location or Time: Indicating a position or point in time, e.g., postpone.
  • Degree or Intensity: Modifying the degree or intensity of the base word, e.g., superstar.
  • Causation: Implying a causal relationship, e.g., encourage.
  • Number or Quantity: Indicating number or quantity, e.g., tripartite (three-part).
  • Repetition or Habit: Suggesting repetition or habitual action, e.g., retell.
  • Derivation: Indicating the origin or source of the base word, e.g., biotechnology (biological technology).

prefix relate terms

  • fixed

    Etymology Middle English fixen Old English fexian from Proto West Germanic fiksijaną

  • affix

    Affix Etymology Latin adficere meaning to fix to Comprises ad to and ficere

  • crucifix

    Crucify Etymology The word crucify comes from the Latin word crucifixus which is

  • crucify

    Etymology The word crucify comes from the Latin word crucifigere which is a compound

  • dike

    Etymology The word dike is derived from the Middle Dutch word dijc meaning ditch

  • ditch

    Etymology Middle English diche from Old English dic dyc ditch dike Old English

  • fibula

    Etymology The word fibula originates from the Latin word fibula which means clasp

  • fiche

    Etymology The word fiche is derived from the French word fiche which means card or

  • fichu

    Etymology French from the verb ficher meaning to fix or to fasten Meaning

  • fixate

    Etymology Latin fixatus past participle of figere to fasten to fix Proto Indo Europ

  • fixation

    Etymology Latin fixatio from fixus fixed From the Proto Indo European root peik

  • fixity

    Fixity Etymology Latin fixitas fixedness firmness From the Latin past participle f

  • fixture

    Etymology Middle English fixure from Latin fixus past participle of figere to fix

  • microfiche

    Etymology Micro Greek small Fiche French card Meaning Microfiche is a fl

  • prefix

    Prefix Etymology From Middle French préfix 16th century from Old French prefix 14

  • suffix

    Suffix comes from the Latin word suffixus meaning fixed below It is a term used in lin

  • transfix

    Etymology The word transfix is derived from Latin trans meaning across or thr

  • prae

    Etymology Prae is a Latin preposition meaning before or in front of It is derived

  • suffix

    Suffix comes from the Latin word suffixus meaning fixed below It is a term used in lin

  • belong

    Etymology Old English belangen to concern belong to Proto Germanic bilanganą to

  • eddy

    Etymology Middle English eddy eddyng Old English ĕdd ȳþ Proto West Germanic ad

  • dismiss

    Etymology The word dismiss originates from the Old French word desmettre which itsel

  • kind

  • affix

    Affix Etymology Latin adficere meaning to fix to Comprises ad to and ficere

  • pivot

    Etymology The word pivot comes from the Old French word pivot which in turn derives

  • booze

    Etymology The word booze is derived from the Middle Dutch word būsen meaning to d