Prefix Definition

prēfĭks

prefixed, prefixes, prefixing

verb

prefixed, prefixes, prefixing

To put or attach before or in front of.

American Heritage

To fix beforehand.

Webster's New World

To settle or arrange in advance.

American Heritage

To fix to the beginning of a word, etc.; esp., to add as a prefix.

Webster's New World

To add a prefix to.

American Heritage

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
suffix

noun

prefixes

An affix, such as dis- in disbelieve, attached to the front of a word to produce a derivative word or an inflected form.

American Heritage

A syllable, group of syllables, or word joined to the beginning of another word or a base to alter its meaning or create a new word (Ex.: pre- in precool, un- in unsure)

Webster's New World

A title that is placed before a person's name, as Dr.

Webster's New World

An identifying letter or number placed before another number, etc.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
designation
cognomen
title
preflex
adjunct
affix
prefixture

Other Word Forms of Prefix

Noun

Singular:

prefix

Plural:

prefixes

Origin of Prefix

Middle English prefixen from Old French prefixer pre- before (from Latin prae- pre–) fixer to place (from Latin fīxus) (past participle of fīgere to fasten dhīgw- in Indo-European roots) N., from New Latin praefīxum from neuter sing. of Latin praefīxus past participle of praefīgere to fix in front prae- pre- fīgere to fasten

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle French prefixer (verb) and Late Latin praefixum (noun), both from Latin praefixus, past participle of praefÄ«gō (“I (fix, fasten, set up) in front", “I fix on the (end, extremity)") (from prae- (“before") + fÄ«gō (“I fix", “I fasten", “I affix")).

From Wiktionary