fix

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fix / fiks/ • v. [tr.] 1. [tr.] fasten (something) securely in a particular place or position: fix the clamp on a rail the upper jaw of an amphibian is firmly fixed to the skull. ∎ fig. lodge or implant (an idea, image, or memory) firmly in a person's mind: he turned back to fix the scene in his mind. 2. (fix something on/upon) direct one's eyes, attention, or mind steadily or unwaveringly toward: I fixed my attention on the tower. ∎  [intr.] (fix on/upon) (of a person's eyes, attention, or mind) be directed steadily or unwaveringly toward: her gaze fixed on Jess. ∎  attract and hold (a person's attention or gaze): their taut relationship fixes your attention. ∎  (fix someone with) look at someone unwaveringly: she fixed her nephew with an unwavering stare. 3. mend; repair: you should fix that shelf. ∎  (fix something up) do the necessary work to improve or adapt something: we want to fix up the house before we sell it. ∎  make arrangements for (something); organize: he's sent her on ahead to fix things up I've fixed it for you to see him on Thursday. ∎ inf. restore order or tidiness to (something, esp. one's hair, clothes, or makeup): Laura was fixing her hair. ∎ inf. prepare or arrange for the provision of (food or drink): they were fixing him breakfast Ruth fixed herself a cold drink. ∎  (fix someone up) inf. arrange for someone to have something; provide someone with something: I'll fix you up with a room. ∎  (fix someone up) inf. arrange for someone to meet or go out with someone in order to help them establish a romantic relationship. ∎  (be fixing to do something) inf. be intending or planning to do something: you're fixing to get into trouble. 4. decide or settle on (a specific price, date, course of action, etc.): no date has yet been fixed for a hearing the rent will be fixed at $600 a month [intr.] their thinking then seemed fixed on conventional projects. ∎  discover the exact location of (something) by using radar or visual bearings or astronomical observation: he fixed his position. ∎  settle the form of (a language). ∎  assign or determine (a person's liability or responsibility) for legal purposes: there are no facts that fix the defendant with liability. 5. make (something) permanent or static in nature: the rate of interest is fixed for the life of the loan. ∎  make (a dye, photographic image, or drawing) permanent. ∎  Biol. preserve or stabilize (a specimen) with a chemical substance prior to microscopy or other examination: specimens were fixed in buffered formalin. ∎  (of a plant or microorganism) assimilate (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) by forming a nongaseous compound: lupines fix gaseous nitrogen in their root nodules. 6. inf. influence the outcome of (something, esp. a race, contest, or election) by illegal or underhanded means: the foundation denies fixing races. ∎  put (an enemy or rival) out of action, esp. by killing them: don't you tell nobody, or I'll fix you good! 7. inf. [intr.] take an injection of a narcotic drug. 8. castrate or spay (an animal); neuter. • n. 1. [in sing.] inf. a difficult or awkward situation from which it is hard to extricate oneself; a predicament: how on earth did you get into such a fix? 2. inf. a dose of a narcotic drug to which one is addicted: he hadn't had his fix. ∎ fig. a thing or activity that gives a person a feeling of euphoria or pleasure and that it is difficult to do without: that rush of adrenaline that is the fix of the professional newsman. 3. inf. a solution to a problem, esp. one that is hastily devised or makeshift: representatives trying to find cheap fixes to meet their obligations.See also quick fix. 4. a position determined by visual or radio bearings or astronomical observations. 5. [in sing.] inf. a dishonest or underhanded arrangement: obviously, his appointment was a fix. PHRASES: get a fix on determine the position of (something) by visual or radio bearings or astronomical observation. ∎ inf. assess or determine the nature or facts of; obtain a clear understanding of: it is hard to get a fix on their ages. DERIVATIVES: fix·a·ble / ˈfiksəbəl/ adj.

fix make firm or stable XV; place in a definite position or state XVI. Partly f. pp. †fix (XIV) — OF. fix (mod. fixe) or its source L. fīxus, pp. of fīgere fix, fasten; partly — medL. fīxāre, f. L. fīxus.
Hence sb. (orig. U.S.) XIX. So fixation XIV. — medL. fixity XVII. fixture XVII. alt. of †fixure (XVII) — late L. fixūra.

fix fix someone's wagon in the US, bring about someone's downfall, spoil someone's chances of success.
get a fix on assess or determine the nature or facts of; obtain a clear understanding of. From the action of determining the position of an aircraft, ship, or body of troops by visual or radio bearings or astronomical observation.

see also a great gulf fixed.

fix, the process of determining the position of a ship without reference to a previous position, from observations of landmarks or sea-marks, or by celestial, hyperbolic, or satellite navigation. It has the same meaning when used as a verb.

FIX See FEDERAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE.

fix •admix, affix, commix, fix, Hicks, intermix, MI6, mix, nix, Nyx, pix, Pnyx, prix fixe, pyx, Ricks, six, Styx, transfix, Wicks •Aquarobics • radix • appendix •crucifix • suffix • Alex • calyx •Felix, helix •kylix • Horlicks • prolix • spondulicks •hydromechanics • phoenix •Ebonics, onyx •mechatronics • sardonyx •Paralympics • semi-tropics •subtropics • Hendrix •dominatrix, matrix •administratrix • oryx • tortrix •executrix • Beatrix • cicatrix •Essex, Wessex •kinesics • coccyx • Sussex •informatics, mathematics •Dianetics • geopolitics • bioethics •cervix • astrophysics • yikes