What does the prefix in mean in a word?

transitive verb

1 \ (ˌ)prē-​ˈfiks

What does the prefix in mean in a word?
\ : to fix or appoint beforehand

2 \ ˈprē-​ˌfiks , prē-​ˈfiks \ [partly from prefix entry 2] : to place in front especially : to add as a prefix prefix a syllable to a word

pre·​fix | \ ˈprē-ˌfiks \

1 : an affix attached to the beginning of a word, base, or phrase and serving to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form — compare suffix

2 : a title used before a person's name

pre·​fix | \ ˈprē-ˌfiks \

Noun

Prefixes and suffixes are both kinds of affixes. That is, they are word parts that attach to the beginning or end of a word or word base (a word stripped down to its simplest form) to produce a related word or an inflectional form of a word. Examples are in- in informal and both re- and -ing in reporting.

A third kind of affix is called an infix. Infixes are inserted into a word or word base. English uses very few infixes, but a couple examples are the plural-making s in words like cupsful and passersby, and various swear words, like damn in informal constructions like guaran-damn-tee.

A combining form is a form of a word that only appears as part of another word. There are a number of kinds of combining forms, each classified by what kind of word results when the form is used. For example, -wise in clockwise is an adverb combining form; -like in birdlike is an adjective combining form; -graph in photograph is a noun combining form; and -lyze in electrolyze is a verb combining form.

Combining forms are similar to affixes but can have a bit more lexical substance to them. Unlike affixes, combining forms are substantial enough to form a word simply by connecting to an affix, such as when the combining form cephal- joins with the suffix -ic to form cephalic. A combining form can also differ from an affix in its being derived from an independent word. For example, para- is a combining form in the word paratrooper because in that word it represents the word parachute. Para- is a prefix, however, in the words paranormal and paramedic. A combining form can also be distinguished historically from an affix by the fact that it is borrowed from another language in which it is descriptively a word or a combining form, such as the French mal giving English the mal- in malfunction.

pre·​fix | \ ˈprē-ˌfiks , prē-ˈfiks \

pre·​fix | \ ˈprē-ˌfiks \

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/ ɪn /

See synonyms for in on Thesaurus.com

(used to indicate inclusion within space, a place, or limits): walking in the park.

(used to indicate inclusion within something abstract or immaterial): in politics; in the autumn.

(used to indicate inclusion within or occurrence during a period or limit of time): in ancient times; a task done in ten minutes.

(used to indicate limitation or qualification, as of situation, condition, relation, manner, action, etc.): to speak in a whisper; to be similar in appearance.

(used to indicate means): sketched in ink; spoken in French.

(used to indicate motion or direction from outside to a point within) into: Let's go in the house.

(used to indicate transition from one state to another): to break in half.

(used to indicate object or purpose): speaking in honor of the event.

in or into some place, position, state, relation, etc.: Please come in.

in one's house or office.

in possession or occupancy.

having the turn to play, as in a game.

Baseball. (of an infielder or outfielder) in a position closer to home plate than usual; short: The third baseman played in, expecting a bunt.

on good terms; in favor: He's in with his boss, but he doubts it will last.

Informal. in vogue; in style: He says straw hats will be in this year.

in season: Watermelons will soon be in.

located or situated within; inner; internal: the in part of a mechanism.

Informal.

  1. in favor with stylish or trendy people; currently popular:the in place to dine; the in thing to do.
  2. keeping up with the latest trends and fashions: the in clique at school.

Informal. comprehensible only to a special or ultrasophisticated group: an in joke.

well-liked; included in a favored group.

inward; incoming; inbound: an in train.

being in power, authority, control, etc.: a member of the in party.

Golf. of or relating to the playing of the last nine holes of an eighteen-hole golf course (opposed to out): His in score on the second round was 34.

Usually ins . persons in office or political power (distinguished from outs).

a member of the political party in power: The election made him an in.

pull or influence; a social advantage or connection: He's got an in with the senator.

(in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) a return or service that lands within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court (opposed to out).

verb (used with object), inned, in·ning.British Dialect.

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    be in for, to be bound to undergo something, especially a disagreeable experience: We are in for a long speech.

    in for it, Slang. about to suffer chastisement or unpleasant consequences, especially of one's own actions or omissions: I forgot our anniversary again, and I'll be in for it now.Also British, for it.

    in that, because; inasmuch as: In that you won't have time for supper, let me give you something now.

    in with, on friendly terms with; familiar or associating with: They are in with all the important people.

First recorded before 900; 1925–30 for def. 29; Middle English, Old English; cognate with German, Dutch, Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Gothic in,Old Norse ī,Latin in,Greek en,Lithuanian į

Imroz, IMS, imu, IMunE, Imuran, in, Ina, in a bad light, in a bad mood, in a bad way, in a big way

Indiana (approved especially for use with zip code).

a prefix representing English in (income; indwelling; inland, etc.), but used also as a verb-formative with transitive, intensive, or sometimes little apparent force (intrust; inweave, etc.). It often assumes the same forms as in-2, such as en-1, em-1, im-3.

1

Middle English, Old English; see in

a prefix of Latin origin meaning primarily “in,” but used also as a verb-formative with the same force as in-1 (incarcerate; incantation).

2

From Latin, combining form of in (preposition); cognate with in

a prefix of Latin origin, corresponding to English un-, having a negative or privative force, freely used as an English formative, especially of adjectives and their derivatives and of nouns (inattention; indefensible; inexpensive; inorganic; invariable). It assumes the same phonetic phases as in-2 (impartial; immeasurable; illiterate; irregular, etc.). In French, it became en- and thus occurs unfelt in such words as enemy (French ennemi, Latin inimicus, lit., not friendly).

3

<Latin; akin to an-1, a-6, un-1

The prefixes in- and un- may both have, among other uses, a negative force. In- is the form derived from Latin, and is therefore used in learned words or in words derived from Latin or (rarely) Greek: inaccessible, inaccuracy, inadequate, etc. Un- is the native form going back to Old English, used in words of native origin, and sometimes used in combination with words of other origins if these words are in common use: unloving, ungodly, unfeeling, unnecessary, unsafe.

a suffix, occurring in adjectives of Greek and Latin origin, meaning “pertaining to,” and (in nouns thence derived) also imitated in English (coffin; cousin, etc.).

1

Middle English -in, -ine<Old French <Latin -inus, -ina, -inum<Greek -inos, -inē, -inon

a noun suffix used in a special manner in chemical and mineralogical nomenclature (glycerin; acetin, etc.). In spelling, usage wavers between -in and -ine. In chemistry a certain distinction of use is attempted, basic substances having the termination -ine rather than -in (aconitine; aniline, etc.), and -in being restricted to certain neutral compounds, glycerides, glucosides, and proteids (albumin; palmitin, etc.), but this distinction is not always observed.

2

<New Latin -ina.See -ine2

a suffixal use of the adverb in, extracted from sit-in, forming compound nouns, usually from verbs, referring to organized protests through or in support of the named activity (kneel-in;chain-in;be-in) or, more generally, to any organized social or cultural activity (cook-in;sing-in).

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chic, chichi, contemporary, current, fly, latest, mod, modern, now, smart, swank, trig, a go-go, à la mode, all the rage, customary, dashing, faddy, favored, hot

  • This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.

  • Her travel clique has been known to arrive at an airport, bags packed, passport-in-hand, within hours of spotting a deal.

  • Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”

  • The lack of a gun is not likely to be a major problem for close-in air-to-air dogfights against other jets.

inside; withinno smoking in the auditorium

at a place where there islying in the shade; walking in the rain

indicating a state, situation, or conditionin a deep sleep; standing in silence

before or when (a period of time) has elapsedcome back in one year

using (a language, etc) as a means of communicationwritten in code

concerned or involved with, esp as an occupationin journalism

expressing a ratio, proportion, or probabilityone in five boys

while or by performing the action of; as a consequence of or by means ofin crossing the street he was run over

used to indicate goal or purposein honour of the president

(used of certain animals) about to give birth to; pregnant with (specified offspring)in foal; in calf

a variant of into she fell in the water; he tore the paper in two

have it in one (often foll by an infinitive) to have the ability (to do something)

in it Australian informal joining in; taking part

in that or in so far as (conjunction) because or to the extent that; inasmuch asI regret my remark in that it upset you

nothing in it no difference or interval between two things

in or into a particular place; inward or indoorscome in; bring him in

so as to achieve office, power, or authoritythe Conservatives got in at the last election

so as to encloseblock in; cover in a hole

(in certain games) so as to take one's turn or one's team's turn at a certain aspect of the play; taking one's inningsyou have to get the other side out before you go in

British (of a fire) alightdo you keep the fire in all night?

(in combination) indicating an activity or gathering, esp one organized to protest against somethingteach-in; work-in

in at present at (the beginning, end, etc)

in for about to be affected by (something, esp something unpleasant)you're in for a shock

in on acquainted with or sharing inI was in on all his plans

in with associated with; friendly with; regarded highly by

have it in for or have got it in for informal to wish or intend harm towards

(stressed) fashionable; modishthe in thing to do

NZ competingyou've got to be in to win

ins and outs intricacies or complications; detailsthe ins and outs of a computer system

Old English; compare Old High German in, Welsh yn, Old Norse ī, Latin in, Greek en

the internet domain name for

not; non-incredible; insincere; illegal; imperfect; irregular Compare un- 1

from Latin in-; related to ne-, nōn not

in; into; towards; within; oninfiltrate; immigrate

having an intensive or causative functioninflame; imperil

indicating a neutral organic compound, including proteins, glucosides, and glyceridesinsulin; digitoxin; tripalmitin

indicating an enzyme in certain nonsystematic namespepsin

indicating a pharmaceutical substancepenicillin; riboflavin; aspirin

indicating a chemical substance in certain nonsystematic namescoumarin

from New Latin -ina; compare -ine ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

In addition to the idioms beginning with in, also see under out of

  • in a bad light
  • in a bad mood
  • in a bad way
  • in a big way
  • in a bind
  • in a breeze
  • in absentia
  • in a cold sweat
  • in addition
  • in a dither
  • in advance
  • in a fix
  • in a flash
  • in a flutter
  • in a fog
  • in a good light
  • in a hole
  • in a huff
  • in a jam
  • in a lather
  • in all
  • in all one's born days
  • in all probability
  • in a manner of speaking
  • in and of itself
  • in a nutshell
  • in any case
  • in a pig's eye
  • in a pinch
  • in arms
  • in arrears
  • in a rut
  • in a sense
  • in a snit
  • in a state
  • in a stew
  • in a tight corner
  • in a tizzy
  • in at the death
  • in a walk
  • in a way
  • in awe of, be
  • in a while
  • in a word
  • in a world of one's own
  • in back of
  • in bad
  • in bad faith
  • in bad with, be
  • in behalf of
  • in between
  • in between times
  • in black and white
  • in brief
  • in bulk
  • in cahoots
  • in care of
  • in case
  • in cement
  • in character
  • in charge
  • in check
  • in chorus
  • in circles
  • in circulation
  • in clover
  • in cold blood
  • in cold storage
  • in commission
  • in common
  • in concert
  • in condition
  • in confidence
  • in conscience
  • in consequence
  • in consideration of
  • in creation
  • in deep
  • in default of
  • in defiance of
  • in demand
  • in depth
  • in detail
  • in dispute
  • in drag
  • in due course
  • in Dutch
  • in earnest
  • in effect
  • in effigy
  • in escrow
  • in essence
  • in evidence
  • in excess of
  • in exchange
  • in fact
  • in fashion
  • in favor of
  • in favor with
  • in fine feather
  • in for
  • in for a penny, in for a pound
  • in force
  • in front of
  • in full
  • in full swing
  • in general
  • in good condition
  • in good faith
  • in good hands
  • in good part
  • in good spirits
  • in good stead
  • in good time
  • in good with, be
  • in half
  • in hand
  • in harness
  • in heat
  • in high dudgeon
  • in honor of
  • in hopes of
  • in itself
  • in keeping with
  • in key
  • in kind
  • in large measure
  • in league with
  • in left field
  • in lieu of
  • in light of
  • in limbo
  • in line
  • in love
  • in luck
  • in memory of
  • in mind
  • in name only
  • in no case
  • in nothing flat
  • in no time
  • in no uncertain terms
  • in on, be
  • in one blow
  • in one breath
  • in one ear and out the other
  • in one fell swoop
  • in one piece
  • in one's
  • in one's behalf
  • in one's blood
  • in one's book
  • in one's cups
  • in one's element
  • in one's eyes
  • in one's favor
  • in one's glory
  • in one's hands
  • in one's heart of hearts
  • in one's interest
  • in one's mind's eye
  • in one's name
  • in one's own backyard
  • in one's own right
  • in one's own world
  • in one's pocket
  • in one's prime
  • in one's right mind
  • in one's shell
  • in one's tracks
  • in one stroke
  • in one's way
  • in orbit
  • in order
  • in other words
  • in over one's head
  • in part
  • in particular
  • in passing
  • in perpetuity
  • in person
  • in phase
  • in place
  • in place of
  • in plain English
  • in play
  • in pocket
  • in point
  • in practice
  • in principle
  • in print
  • in private
  • in progress
  • in proportion
  • in public
  • in question
  • in quest of
  • in reach
  • in reality
  • in reason
  • in reference to
  • in regard to
  • in relation to
  • in reserve
  • in residence
  • in respect to
  • in retrospect
  • in return
  • in round numbers
  • ins and outs
  • in search of
  • in season
  • in secret
  • in seventh heaven
  • in shape
  • in short
  • in short order
  • in short supply
  • inside of
  • inside out
  • inside track, the
  • in sight
  • in single file
  • in so many words
  • in some measure
  • in someone's
  • in someone's bad graces
  • in someone's face
  • in someone's good graces
  • in someone's hair
  • in someone's shoes
  • in someone's stead
  • in spades
  • in specie
  • in spite of
  • in state
  • in step
  • in stitches
  • in stock
  • in store
  • in stride
  • in style
  • in substance
  • in terms of
  • in that
  • in that case
  • in the act
  • in the aggregate
  • in the air
  • in the air
  • in the altogether
  • in the back
  • in the bag
  • in the balance
  • in the ballpark
  • in the bargain
  • in the black
  • in the blood
  • in the bud
  • in the buff
  • in the can
  • in the cards
  • in the care of
  • in the case of
  • in the chips
  • in the circumstances
  • in the clear
  • in the clouds
  • in the cold light of day
  • in the course of
  • in the dark
  • in the dock
  • in the doghouse
  • in the doldrums
  • in the driver's seat
  • in the dumps
  • in the dust, leave someone
  • in the end
  • in the event of
  • in the eye
  • in the eye of
  • in the face
  • in the face of
  • in the family way
  • in the final analysis
  • in the first place
  • in the flesh
  • in the flush of
  • in the fullness of time
  • in the groove
  • in the gutter
  • in the hands of
  • in the heat of
  • in the hole
  • in the hope
  • in the hot seat
  • in the interest of
  • in the interim
  • in the know
  • in the lap of luxury
  • in the least
  • in the limelight
  • in the long run
  • in the loop
  • in the lurch
  • in the main
  • in the making
  • in the market for
  • in the middle of
  • in the midst
  • in the money
  • in the mood
  • in the mouth
  • in the name of
  • in the near future
  • in the neck
  • in the neighborhood of
  • in the nick of time
  • in the offing
  • in the picture, be
  • in the pink
  • in the pipeline
  • in the public eye
  • in the raw
  • in the red
  • in there pitching
  • in the right, be
  • in the rough
  • in the round
  • in the running
  • in the saddle
  • in the same boat
  • in the same breath
  • in the same league
  • in the same mold
  • in the second place
  • in the short run
  • in the soup
  • in the street
  • in the swim
  • in the teeth of
  • in the throes
  • in the twinkling of an eye
  • in the unlikely event
  • in the wake of
  • in the way
  • in the wind
  • in the wings
  • in the works
  • in the world
  • in the worst way
  • in the wrong
  • in thing, the
  • in this day and age
  • in time
  • in time
  • in token of
  • in touch, be
  • in tow
  • in trouble with
  • in trust
  • in tune
  • in turn
  • in two shakes
  • in unison
  • in up to
  • in vain
  • in view
  • in view of
  • in wait
  • in waiting
  • in with, be
  • in your face

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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