prefix

Where does the word "prefix" come from? It comes from Latin figere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Prefix’s story begins in Latin: figere meant “to fix, to fasten.” To fix, to fasten, combined with prae- (before). Within Latin, it grew into praefigere by ancient. To fasten before, to attach in front, from prae- and figere. It reached English by 1600s as prefix. Settled as the English word for letters added to the beginning of a word. Today, prefix means a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient figere "to fix, to fasten", to fix, to fasten, combined with prae- (before).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient praefigere "to fasten before, to attach in front", to fasten before, to attach in front, from prae- and figere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s prefix "letters or a syllable added to the beginning of a word", settled as the English word for letters added to the beginning of a word.