prefix

PREFIX', verb transitive [Latin proefigo; proe, before, and figo, to fix.] 1. To put or fix before, or at the beginning of another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word; to prefix an advertisement to a book. 2. To set or appoint beforehand; as, to prefix the hour of meeting. A time prefix and think of me at last. 3. To settle; to establish. I would prefix some certain boundary between the old statutes and the new. PRE'FIX, noun A letter, syllable or word put to the beginning of a word, usually to vary its signification. A prefix is united with the word, forming a part of it; hence it is distinguished from a preposition; as pre, in prefix; con, in coniure; with, in withstand. Prefixes are sometimes called particles, or inseparable prepositions.