Prefixation

Prefixation is a morphological process in which a bound morpheme, called a prefix, is attached to the beginning of a word stem or base. The result is typically a new word with a modified meaning or grammatical category. Prefixation is one of the main means of word formation and is distinguished from suffixation, infixation, and circumfixation.

Prefixes can be derivational or inflectional. Derivational prefixes create new words and often alter meaning or part of speech, while inflectional prefixes mark grammatical features without a substantial change in core meaning. Examples of derivational prefixes include un-, re-, pre-, and mis-. Inflectional prefixes are less common in many languages but may signal negation or other contrasts in certain systems.

Phonology often interacts with prefixation. Assimilation can produce allomorphs of prefixes (for example, in- becoming im- before bilabial consonants). Orthographic conventions vary by language; prefixes may attach directly to the base, or hyphenation or spacing may be used in some compounds or stylistic contexts.

Cross-linguistically, prefixation is widespread and plays a prominent role in many languages, though its productivity and function vary. Some languages rely heavily on prefixes for word formation, while others depend more on suffixes, infixes, or other morphophonological processes.

See also affixation, suffixation, circumfixation, infixation.

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