I. pre‧fix¹ /ˈpriːfɪks/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: praefixum, from Latin praefigere 'to fasten before']

1. technical a group of letters that is added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning and make a new word, such as ‘un’ in ‘untie’ or ‘mis’ in ‘misunderstand’ ⇒ affix, suffix

2. a number or letter that comes before other numbers or letters, especially a group of numbers that comes before a telephone number when you are calling someone in a different area

3. old-fashioned a title such as ‘Ms’ or ‘Dr’ used before someone’s name Synonym : title

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. prefix² verb [transitive]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: prefixer, from fixer 'to fix']

1. to add a prefix to a word, name, or set of numbers

2. formal to say something before the main part of what you have to say

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲