affix

Definitions

af- (a form of ad-, 'onto') + fix (fasten) = 'fasten onto.' To affix is to stick one thing onto another — affix a stamp, affix a seal. Grammarians borrowed the noun for the thing you fasten onto a word: a prefix or suffix is an 'affix.'

Why It Means This

affix lives a double life. As a verb it's a slightly formal way to say 'stick on' (affix a label, affix your signature). As a noun it's a grammar term: an affix is any piece fastened onto a word — and prefix (fastened before) and suffix (fastened after) are its two main kinds, both built on the same -fix root.

Common Collocations

• 1.affix a stamp贴邮票
• 2.affix a label贴标签
• 3.affix your signature签名
• 4.affix a seal盖章

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Please affix a recent photo to your application form.

• 2.

  You must affix your signature at the bottom of the contract.

• 3.

  In 'unhappiness,' both 'un-' and '-ness' are affixes.

Easily Confused

affix vs attach — both mean 'fasten on,' but affix is formal and usually for something flat pressed onto a surface (affix a stamp, affix a sticker). attach is the everyday general word and works for anything, including files and people (attach a document, attach the cable). You attach a hose; you affix a label.