1 infix | Definition of infix
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infix

verb
in·​fix | \ ˈin-ˌfiks How to pronounce infix (audio) , in-ˈfiks How to pronounce infix (audio) \
infixed; infixing; infixes

Definition of infix

 (Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to fasten or fix by piercing or thrusting in
2 : to impress firmly in the consciousness or disposition
3 : to insert (a sound or letter) as an infix

infix

noun
in·​fix | \ ˈin-ˌfiks How to pronounce infix (audio) \

Definition of infix (Entry 2 of 3)

: a derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word (such as Sanskrit -n- in vindami "I know" as contrasted with vid "to know")

infix

adjective
in·​fix | \ ˈin-ˌfiks How to pronounce infix (audio) \

Definition of infix (Entry 3 of 3)

: characterized by placement of a binary operator between the operands a + b is expressed in infix notation — compare postfix, prefix
Other Words from infix Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym What is an infix? Example Sentences Learn More about infix

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Other Words from infix

Verb

infixation \ ˌin-​(ˌ)fik-​ˈsā-​shən How to pronounce infixation (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for infix

Synonyms: Verb

brand, engrave, etch, impress, imprint, ingrain (also engrain)

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Choose the Right Synonym for infix

Verb

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind. implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught. implanted a love of reading in her students inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind. tried to inculcate in him high moral standards instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time. instill traditional values in your children inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas in many minds so that they spread through a class or nation. inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought. infixed a chronic cynicism

What is an infix?

Noun

Like prefixes and suffixes, infixes are part of the general class of affixes ("sounds or letters attached to or inserted within a word to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form"). Infixes are relatively rare in English, but you can find them in the plural forms of some words. For example, cupful, spoonful, and passerby can be pluralized as cupsful, spoonsful, and passersby, using "s" as an infix. Another example is the insertion of an (often offensive) intensifier into a word, as in fan-freakin'-tastic. Such whole-word insertions are sometimes called infixes, though this phenomenon is more traditionally known as tmesis.

Examples of infix in a Sentence

Verb

 a puzzling detail that had been infixed in the detective's mind for over a decade a football coach celebrated for infixing in his players an all-consuming will to win

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 The path of the infix is uncertain, but linguist Joshua Viau has found similar examples in 1960s radio broadcasts and early 1970s drug slang. — Mark Peters, BostonGlobe.com, "Pig Latin is alive and ellway," 11 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infix.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of infix

Verb

1502, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1881, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1971, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for infix

Verb

Latin infixus, past participle of infigere, from in- + figere to fasten — more at fix

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More from Merriam-Webster on infix

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with infix

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for infix

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infix

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