different between interfix vs prefixation

English

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: in?ter?fix

Etymology

inter- +? fix

Noun

interfix (plural interfixes)

2. (linguistic morphology) An empty morph inserted between two morphemes in the process of word formation, such as English -o-, -i-.
   • 2004, Francis Katamba, Morphology: Critical Concepts in Linguistics [1], ?ISBN, page 187:

     An empty morph is an interfix if it fulfills all of the following three conditions (Dressier, 1985f).

3. (linguistic morphology) A transfix.
4. (computing, information retrieval, dated) An association link, a device to group multiple words or concepts.
   • 1959, Frank S. Wagner, Jr., A Dictionary of Documentation Terms [2], page 19:

     LOCANT, n. A number used in the Dyson cipher system for coding the position of substituents of carbon chain, i.e. an interfix.

Coordinate terms

• (types of affixes): adfix, affix, ambifix, circumfix, confix, disfix, duplifix, infix, libfix, postfix, prefix, prefixoid, simulfix, suffix, suffixoid, suprafix, transfix

Translations

Verb

interfix (third-person singular simple present interfixes, present participle interfixing, simple past and past participle interfixed)

1. (engineering, transitive) To attach or anchor (two or more parts) together.
   • 1932, Elmer G. Koch, "Collar Fastener", United States Patent 1915250 [3], page 2:

     Generally speaking the article is formed of two pieces which are interfixed for providing a pair of spring urged jaws...

2. (linguistic morphology, transitive) To insert (an interfix) between two morphemes.
   • 2001, Wolfgang U. Dressler et al., "The Processing of interfixed German compounds", in Yearbook of Morphology 1999 [4], ?ISBN, page 185:

     Our goal in the construction of this task was to isolate and highlight the relationship between the interfixed and free forms of the initial constituent.

Derived terms

• interfixation

See also

• epenthesis

English

Etymology 1

First attested in 1889; formed as prefix +? -ation.

Noun

prefixation (plural prefixations)

1. (linguistics) The adding of a prefix to a word.

   Antonym: suffixation

   Coordinate terms: affixation, infixation, interfixation, suffixation

Translations

Etymology 2

First attested in 1921; formed as pre- +? fixation.

Noun

prefixation (plural prefixations)

1. (anatomy, of a nerve) The state or condition of being prefixed.
2. (biology, cytology) Initial treatment of tissue with a fixative, as a preliminary to the application of another fixative or to the use of a different treatment.

Related terms

• prefixative

Translations

References

• “prefi?xation” in the Oxford English Dictionary, second edition, 1989 (lists both homographs in one entry)
• “prefixation, n.¹” in the Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, March 2007 (lists the linguistic term)
• “prefixation, n.²” in the Oxford English Dictionary third edition, March 2007 (lists the anatomical and biological term)