A 'prefix' is the initial portion of some object or term (typically in text or speech) with a distinct and reused meaning that modifies the meaning of the whole object. Antonyms of "prefix" are
suffix, or
postfix.
For an example in the context of language, the word ''prefix'' itself is made up of the base ''fix'' (meaning "attach" in this case), and the prefix ''pre-'', meaning "before". To prefix is to attach before.
Specific types of prefixes include:
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Prefix (linguistics), a type of
affix that precedes the
morphemes, hence modifying the base
semantics for a word.
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Numerical prefix, used for magnitudes of SI units, like 'kilo' and 'milli' in 'kilometre' and 'milligram'. See also
SI prefix.
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Polish notation, a method of mathematical expression, also known as prefix notation
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Telephone prefix, the first set of digits in a telephone number not a country code or area code
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ITU prefix, a call sign for radio and television stations
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Prefix (computer science), of a string
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Prefix code
See also
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Suffix
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Infix
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Separable affix
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Prefix Magazine
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Nationality prefixes