fix

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fixus, past participle of figere to fasten; akin to Lithuanian dygti to sprout, break through Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to make firm, stable, or stationary b. to give a permanent or final form to: as (1) to change into a stable compound or available form <

bacteria that fix nitrogen

> (2) to kill, harden, and preserve for microscopic study (3) to make the image of (a photographic film) permanent by removing unused salts c. affix, attach 2. a. to hold or direct steadily <

fixes his eyes on the horizon

> b. to capture the attention of <

fixed her with a stare

> 3. a. to set or place definitely ; establish b. to make an accurate determination of ; discover <

fixing our location on the chart

> c. assign <

fix the blame

> 4. to set in order ; adjust 5. to get ready ; prepare <

fix lunch

> 6. a. repair, mend <

fix the clock

> b. restore, cure <

the doctor fixed him up

> c. spay, castrate 7. a. to get even with b. to influence the actions, outcome, or effect of by improper or illegal methods <

the race had been fixed

> intransitive verb 1. to become firm, stable, or fixed 2. to get set ; be on the verge <

we're fixing to leave soon

> 3. to direct one's attention or efforts ; focus; also decide, settle — usually used with on <

had fixed on the first Saturday in June

> Synonyms: see fasten • fixable adjective II. noun Date: 1809 1. a position of difficulty or embarrassment ; predicament 2. a. the position (as of a ship) determined by bearings, observations, or radio; also a determination of one's position b. an accurate determination or understanding especially by observation or analysis 3. an act or instance of improper or illegal fixing <

the fix was in

> 4. a supply or dose of something strongly desired or craved <

a coffee fix

>; especially a shot of a narcotic 5. fixation 6. something that fixes or restores ; solution <

an easy fix

>