fixn.
/fɪks/, U.S. /fɪks/ 1. (originally U.S.) A position from which it is difficult to escape, a ‘tight place’; a difficulty, dilemma, predicament. Also, condition, state; (working) order (U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > [noun]
ferec1175
statea1325
casec1325
likingc1330
plighta1393
dispositionc1400
health1509
disease1526
affection?1541
affect1605
valetude1623
tift1717
situation1749
condition1798
fix1816
shape1865
fig1883
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > [noun] > good or bad condition or order
point?c1225
plighta1375
waya1400
ply1443
ploy1477
abyss1548
order1569
kilter1582
trim1628
tilter1674
fettle?1748
kidney1763
fix1816
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [noun] > difficult state of things > predicament or straits
needfulnessc1350
kankedortc1374
pressc1375
needfultya1382
briguec1400
brikec1400
plightc1400
taking?c1425
partyc1440
distrait1477
brakea1529
hot water1537
strait1544
extremes1547
pickle1562
praemunire1595
lock1598
angustiae1653
difficulty1667
scrape1709
premune1758
hole1760
Queer Street1811
warm water1813
strift1815
fix1816
plisky1818
snapper1818
amplush1827
false position1830
bind1851
jackpot1887
tight1896
squeeze1905
jam1914
1816 M. L. Weems Life Gen. F. Marion (ed. 4) xiv. 124 They are in a mighty good fix.
1818 E. P. Fordham Pers. Narr. Trav. (1906) 167 The fire went out and it got quite dark. I was in a bad fix, as they say in the back~woods.
1834 D. Crockett Narr. Life vi. 50 I believe..we should all have been genteelly licked that time, for we were in a devil of a fix.
1834 W. A. Caruthers Kentuckian in N.Y. I. 29 I couldn't get my hands in no sort of a comfortable fix.
1836 Pleasant Peregrinations 50 Tables and settees are put into a sleeping fix in the twinkling of a bedpost.
1839 F. Marryat Diary in Amer. II. 166 The Americans are never at a loss when they are in a fix.
1839 Spirit of Times 27 Apr. 90/3 The filly is a keener, but looked out of fix.
1839 C. Brontë Let. 14 Aug. in W. Gérin C. Brontë (1967) x. 153 It so happens that I can get no conveyance..so I am in a fix.
1842 R. H. Barham St. Medard in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 283 A Stranger there, Who seem'd to have got himself into a fix.
1852 C. H. Wiley Life in South 126 I'll be delighted to be in your company in any fix (i.e. costume).
1854 E. Forbes Let. in G. Wilson & A. Geikie Mem. E. Forbes (1861) xiv. 532 The Scottish authorities have run me into a fix.
1868 H. Woodruff & C. J. Foster Trotting Horse Amer. xi. 113 In getting a whole stable of horses into fix to trot races, there will seldom be two whose treatment during their preparation ought to be the same.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule vii. 107 And is this the fix you wish me to help you out of?
1895 Outing 26 356/1 George's rod is splintered, and the Kid's reel out of fix.
1898 H. S. Canfield Maid of Frontier ii. 36 His horses are in good fix.
1931 Kansas City (Missouri) Times 7 Dec. 16 What a fix this old world might have been in if our boys had not made it safe for democracy.
2. The material used for lining a puddling-furnace; fettling.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > types of material generally > [noun] > material for lining or building up a furnace
furnace-earth1612
fix1873
bulldog1881
fettle1894
1873 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1871–3 1 327 In puddling 30 per cent. less ‘fix’ was required.
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 35 Fettle or line with a fix or fettling, consisting of ore scrap and cinder.
3.
a. A reliable indication of the position of a ship, aircraft, etc., obtained by determining the bearings, visually or by radio, of objects whose position is known (as fixed points on land, or celestial objects); the position so obtained; also, the action of obtaining a ‘fix’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > position or situation > [noun] > ascertaining or determining position of anything > with precision
fix1902
pinpointing1920
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > [noun] > position > bearing > position obtained from
fix1902
running fix1916
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXIII. 97/2 The ‘station-pointer’ is the instrument used in plotting fixes.
1919 H. Shaw Text-bk. Aeronaut. xviii. 208 An ‘absolute’ fix is one in which all the observations are taken together, while if a considerable interval of time is allowed to elapse between the taking of the observations, a ‘running’ fix is obtained, which is not so reliable.
1925 F. C. Bowen King's Navy 182 On a well-lighted coast night navigation can be easier than by day since there will always be lights from which to take compass bearings and so to get a ‘fix’.
1935 Travel Sept. 8/1 Throughout the flight position reports will be made every thirty minutes, based on these ‘fixes’, radio bearings and dead reckoning.
1942 J. A. Hammerton ABC of RAF (ed. 2) 110/1 When the landmark is recognized, then the airman is said to have obtained a ‘visual fix’; the word ‘fix’ merely means the position of the aircraft.
1942 J. A. Hammerton ABC of RAF (ed. 2) 110/2 If the weather is bad and clouds hide the ground the navigator cannot obtain a visual fix, but there are other kinds of fix. He may obtain a ‘radio fix’ by getting in touch with two wireless stations.
1942 J. A. Hammerton ABC of RAF (ed. 2) 110/2 With clear sky above, the navigator may use the stars and get an ‘astro’ fix.
1950 A. P. Herbert Independent Member xxxi. 196 If two or three reported the same splash from different angles..there might even be an accurate ‘fix’.
1958 Observer 12 Oct. 1/1 The Jodrell Bank radio telescope has been following the American moon rocket out into space. After tracking ended..65 ‘fixes’ of the rocket's position had been made.
1963 Times 14 Jan. 13/7 There was only one fix on the trawler's chart for that day and no time was given for the fix.
1971 Daily Tel. 17 June 17/4 Using radio-direction finding equipment he obtained a ‘fix’ from the signals and traced the transmitter to Westmoreland Road, Bromley.
b. An estimate; an agreed or established point (of time, size, price, or the like); spec. on the London bullion market, a twice-daily ritual at which the price of gold is determined by the main bullion dealers.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [noun] > other aspects of money dealing
intromission1567
bargain and sale1602
transferability1776
exchange control1931
ratissage1957
fix1965
money laundering1974
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > [noun] > so as to fix value > instance
prizement1481
cessmentc1540
praisure1622
size-up1949
fix1965
1965 Chem. & Engin. News 10 May 88/1 Neither of the major companies that make rare earth polishes..will say how much they make, so it is difficult to get an accurate fix on the size of this market.
1971 Sci. Amer. Oct. 67/3 It is noteworthy that the earliest astronomical fix is at 4000 years ago, that all older dates have errors.
1974 Times 9 Nov. 1/5 From a morning fix of $177½ an ounce the price climbed to $183 at the afternoon fix.
1982 Times 24 Aug. 11/2 Heavy buying was reported by dealers who said that the afternoon fix was particularly busy.
1985 Daily Tel. 22 Oct. 18/6 Gold price. 1st fix $326.50. 2nd fix $326.15.
4. slang (originally U.S.). A dose of a narcotic drug. Also fix-up n. Cf. fix v. 16c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > an intoxicating drug > [noun] > a dose of
jolt1916
bhang1922
charge1929
fix1934
fix-up1934
joy-pop1939
hit1951
spoon1968
1867 W. H. Dixon New Amer. I. 191 Claret-cobbler..eye-opener, fix-ups, or any other Yankee deception in the shape of liquor.]
1934 Flynn's 21 Apr. 113/2 A package of narcotics is called a deck or a bindle; a shot is a geezer,..or fix-up.
1936 Amer. Speech 11 121/1 Fix-up, a ration of dope, especially one which has just been taken.
1938 Amer. Speech 13 184/1 Fix, var. of fix-up. A ration of narcotics, especially one to be injected.
1949 N. Algren Man with Golden Arm (1959) i. 57 ‘Don't vomit, student,’ he taunted Frankie to remind him of the first fix he'd had.
1958 Oxf. Mail 29 July 6/7 A weird scene where the dope peddlers gather to beat up Johnny, who gets more into debt with each ‘fix’.
1966 Evening News 17 Nov. 10/5 Hardly a week goes by without a report of drug-taking and ‘fix’ parties among teenagers.
5. A bribe; bribery; an illicit arrangement (e.g. amongst politicians, or between policemen and criminals). U.S. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > illegal payment or exaction > [noun] > bribe
gift1382
handy-dandyc1390
pricec1400
bud1436
bribe?a1439
golden (also silver) keyc1450
fee1549
golden shower1589
oil of angels1592
sugar-plum1608
bribera1616
palm oil1625
greasinga1661
sop1665
sweetbreada1670
vail1687
douceur1739
sweetener1741
bonus1759
buckshee1773
smear-gelt1785
grease1823
boodle?1856
soap1860
ice1887
palm-grease1897
poultice1902
fix1929
dropsy1930
pay-off1930
drop1931
oil1935
squeeze-pidgin1946
sling1948
bung1958
back-hander1960
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > illegal payment or exaction > [noun] > bribe > bribery
meedc1275
corruptionc1425
bribing?c1524
suborning?1532
bribery1560
budding1640
subornation1670
palmistry1828
palm-greasing1832
boodling1886
a greasing of palms1889
sugaring1891
fix1929
pay-off1930
schmear1950
long leg1967
1929 Flynn's 20 Apr. 793/2 I can put the fix on for you so you can run your stuff over the line and straight into Chicago.
1930 E. D. Sullivan Chicago Surrenders (1931) ii. 48 It's impossible to scare tough hombres who can get $55 a barrel for beer that costs them $7. There's plenty leeway for the ‘fix’.
1950 H. E. Goldin Dict. Amer. Underworld Lingo 70/2 Fix. 1. An agreement, secured through bribery, chicanery, intimidation, whereby a criminal indictment is quashed, or the severity of a sentence or of a charge lessened... 2. Any arrangement by which laws, rules, or regulations are circumvented...‘his mob got a license (police permission) to hustle (steal) on the cannon (picking pockets) here. The fix is in solid.’
1953 W. P. McGivern Big Heat x. 124 He had come up through the ranks of a society that was founded on the fix.
Draft additions August 2007
Originally U.S. A measure undertaken to resolve a problem; a solution, a remedy. Cf. quick-fix n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > solution, explanation > instance of
answerOE
solutionc1384
resolutiona1542
sol1588
soil1609
salvo1660
éclaircissement1673
fix1882
1882 Wellsboro (Pa.) Agitator 26 Dec. 1/8 All that is necessary is to dig a round pit or cistern... With such a simple fix, it is an easy matter to distribute the liquid.
1913 News (Frederick, Maryland) 31 Jan. 6/5 The wireless aerial which blew down..has been temporarily erected... Not-with-standing this temporary fix, messages are caught every day as before.
1949 D. Trumbo Biggest Thief in Town ii. 75 He's not out for the easy fix and the fast dollar.
1989 Byte Aug. 276/2 I have reported the problem to both vendors, and each says that it..is working on a fix.
2002 Community Care 18 July 8/3 In London alone the waiting list is around 180 cases... As a short term fix, Cafcass plans to employ 15 agency guardians.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† fixadj.adv.
Obsolete.
A. adj. = fixed adj. in various senses:
a. As applied to the stars.
ΚΠ
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §3. 15 The sterres fixe.
?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Cci v All the starres fixe.
b. Firmly placed or settled; not easily moved; not liable to fluctuation or change.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > stability, fixity > [adjective] > not liable to instability
sicker1340
fixc1374
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 298 His fixe and depe impression.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems 235 With eye fyx looke on his visage.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 393 Curatis..schulden haue a stable fix endewing of lijflode.
c. Of a substance: Not volatile.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [adjective] > of or relating to stability
fix1660
1660 J. Harding tr. Paracelsus Archidoxis i. 142 Take then the fix Element that remained after the separation of the Three Imperfect Elements.
1673 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 8 5188 Those Salts being rendered so fix, that by a gentle fire they are not so much as at all moved.
B. adv.
Fixedly, steadily.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > [adverb] > staring or gazing > steadily
steadfastlya1400
fix1601
fixedly1605
1601 T. Wright Passions of Minde (1621) 305 Why cannot many abide that you looke fixe in their eies.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
fixv.
/fɪks/, U.S. /fɪks/ I. To make firm or stable.† 7. To transfix. [After Latin figere.] Obsolete. rare.
1. † b. to fix the foot or footing: to obtain or take a sure foothold. literal and figurative. Obsolete. (Cf. to fasten the feet at fasten v. Phrases 1, and Latin figere gradum.)† c. To affix (a seal), attach (a codicil) to. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To fasten, make firm or stable in position; to place, attach, or insert and secure against displacement. Const. in, on, to. etc. to fix bayonets (Mil.): to attach them to the mouth of the musket or rifle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > stare or gaze at
bestarec1220
bigapea1250
to gape atc1290
fix14..
to stick one's eyes in (also into)c1485
attacha1500
porec1500
to take feeding (of)c1500
stare1510
(to have) in gaze1577
gaze1591
outstare1596
over-stare1600
devour1628
trysta1694
ogle1795
begaze1802
toise1888
fixate1889
rubberneck1897
eyeball1901
the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stabilize > fix firmly in place
morec1300
ficchec1374
firmc1374
fix14..
staplec1400
stithc1480
perplant1548
settle1560
stay1565
lock1590
haft1755
sicker1824
brace1849
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)] > fasten or fix
steek?c1335
stick1372
ficchec1374
plant1381
inficche1382
fix14..
graft1531
graff1536
stick1586
rivet1600
stay1627
rig1835
splice1847
fixate1885
14.. Songs & Carols 15th C. (Percy Soc.) vi. 6 I thouȝt in mynd I schuld ay fynd The wehle of fortunat fyxyd fast.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) x. 407 Yar ledder..maid ane clap quhen the cruchet Wes fixit [1487 St. John's Cambr. festnyt] fast in ye kyrneill.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clx His head to be fixed on a poole.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 213 The Bats..hang..(by clawes fixed to their wings.)
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. ii. iv. 38 The Forts..could not..hinder them from fixing their cluches in the flat Country.
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia Pref. sig. F2 Fixing both the Glass and Object to the Pedestal.
1694 Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) ii. 5 We fixed our Ship with Ice-hooks to a large Ice-field.
1779 B. Franklin Polit., Misc. & Philos. Pieces 488 In Philadelphia I had such a rod fixed to the top of my chimney.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Gardener's Daughter in Poems (new ed.) II. 25 Holding the bush, to fix it back, she stood.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxvii. 210 The last stake being fixed, the faces of the men were turned homeward.
1892 Law Times Rep. 65 582/1 The posts of the gantry stand on planks, and are fixed thereto by iron dogs and dowels.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > position or situation > be positioned or situated [verb (intransitive)] > take up position > firmly or with sure foothold
roota1382
foota1425
to fix the foot or footing1582
haft1725
to dig in1851
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 61 He stutted, apaled: And fixt his footing.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. ix. 4 Fix thy foot . View more context for this quotation
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 98 The more weary [the Oxe] is, the more strong doth he fixe his footings.
1654 tr. M. Martini Bellum Tartaricum 52 The Tartars could never fix a foot in China.
1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar i. i. 3 I'll plant my Colours down In the mid-breach, and by 'em fix my foot.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > transfer of property > testamentary disposition > bequeath by will [verb (transitive)] > attach a codicil to
fix1569
society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > seal [verb (transitive)] > affix seal to
put1379
to put to1396
fix1569
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 173 All the Nobilitie of Scotland..entered into bond..wherevnto were fixed their seuerall seales.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 434 To be fixed as a Scedule to his last will and testament.
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 24/2 I have seen him..wet two..papers, and fix his seal to them.
d. In immaterial sense: To attach firmly; to implant securely (principles, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > introduction or bringing in > introduce or bring something in [verb (transitive)] > implant
insowc1340
pitch1340
graffc1420
fixa1533
instincta1538
implanta1541
engraft1585
enrace1590
inoculate1604
place1621
haft1755
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)] > fasten or fix > in immaterial sense
fastenOE
fixa1533
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1539) xxxviii. 70 As sone as the goddes haue gyuen theim a doughter, forthwith they ought to fyxe in theyr hartes a newe remembraunce.
1672 J. Lacy Dumb Lady To Rdr. You are fixed to the freehold never to be parted.
1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 319. ¶4 I resolved..to fix his Face in my Memory.
1769 W. Buchan Domest. Med. i. 34 Early application..often fixes in the mind..an aversion from books.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect ii. i. 328 While the mind is diverted elsewhere, there is no progress in fixing them [sc. lessons].
e. To ‘fasten’ (an imputation, responsibility, etc.) on a person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > assign to a cause [verb (transitive)] > attribute something to someone > put upon or ascribe to someone
fastOE
lay13..
fastenc1390
redound1477
impinge1535
thank1560
stick1607
patronize1626
fix1665
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) Ded. sig. A iijv The worst Reproach, Malice..can fix upon your Name.
1694 Acc. Sweden 90 The Odium..was easily fix'd upon the Ministers.
1744 G. Berkeley Siris (ESTC T72826) § 353 It will not seem just to fix the imputation of Atheism upon those philosophers.
1809 W. Scott Let. 10 Sept. (1932) II. 237 Ellis fixes on me an article about Miss Edgeworths Tales.
f. intransitive for reflexive. To become firmly attached or implanted; to adhere to. literal and figurative ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > be or become attached or affixed [verb (intransitive)]
stick1621
fix1682
attach1798
1682 T. D'Urfey Butler's Ghost 159 For, salve the matter how you will, I fix to my Narration still.
1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger Fires Improv'd 43 They pass over them, without fixing to them.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. xvii. 66 Prejudices in disfavour of a person, at his first appearance, fix deeper..than prejudices in favour.
2. † d. With complement: To render unchangeably (so and so). Obsolete.
a. To secure from change, vacillation or wandering; to give stability or constancy to (the mind, thoughts, affections, purposes).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > stability, fixity > make stable, establish [verb (transitive)]
fastenOE
grounda1300
confirmc1300
establec1386
settlec1386
establish1533
entrench?1587
fix1605
stabilitate1642
substantiate1792
stabilify1871
stabilize1875
freeze1936
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Mm2v Images are said by the Romane Church to fix the cogitations..of them that pray before them. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. i. 5 Thinke of that, And fixe most firme thy resolution. View more context for this quotation
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. xxi. 212 A constant impression of Gods omnipresence is an excellent way to fix mens souls.
1793 Object. to War Examined & Refuted 37 What other system is likely to fix your fluctuating opinions?
1872 W. H. Dixon W. Penn (rev. ed.) xvii. 143 At length his mind began to fix itself.
1875 A. Maclaren Serm. 2nd Ser. vii. 120 Thy tremulous and vagrant soul shall be braced and fixed.
b. To make (a person) constant in attachment. Const. to, in. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > be faithful or loyal to [verb (transitive)] > make loyal > make constant to
fix1710
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes App.: Reasons for Bill 7 They are seldom well fixed to Virtue and sober Behaviour.
1738 S. Johnson London 145 How..Can surly virtue hope to fix a friend?
1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 153 To improve this favourable opportunity for fixing these Indians in the English Interest.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xviii. xii. 286 Can the Man who shall be in possession of these be inconstant? Impossible!..they would fix a Dorimant. View more context for this quotation
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice I. vi. 44 If a woman conceals her affection..from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him. View more context for this quotation
c. To settle immovably the purpose or conviction of (a person). Const. to with infinitive; also on, for, against. Now only in passive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > adhere constantly or steadfastly to [verb (transitive)] > make steadfast
strongOE
strengthc1200
stablea1300
resolvea1398
sadc1400
nourish?a1425
settle1435
pitha1500
stiffen?a1500
steel1581
toughen1582
ballastc1600
efforta1661
fix1671
balance1685
to fix the mercury1704
instrengthen1855
to put stuffing into1977
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1481 I am fixt not to part hence without him. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 126 They challenge, and encounter Breast to Breast; So fix'd on Fame. View more context for this quotation
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Ceyx & Alcyone in Fables 363 If Fate has fix'd thee obstinate to sail.
1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome iii. 50 Marcus was fixt upon taking him.
1766 B. Franklin Let. 27 Feb. in Wks. (1887) III. 456 The ministry are fixed for us.
1856 Darwin in Life & Lett. (1887) II. 68 I am fixed against any periodical.
ΚΠ
1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 59 This Interview had fix'd my Heart intirely hers.
1744 S. Fielding Adventures David Simple (ed. 2) I. 44 The Girl was commanded..to receive him in such a manner, as to fix him hers.
1778 Hist. Eliza Warwick I. 238 That important one [sc. day] which fixed me wretched for ever.
e. Genetics. To establish (a character, or the gene responsible for it) as a permanent property of subsequent generations.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > [verb (transitive)] > establish genetic trait as permanent
fix1900
1900 Jrnl. Royal Hort. Soc. 24 142 Seeds were again selected from the plants producing smooth seed and planted the third year, and so on through five generations, when the character was fully fixed, and all the plants came true, producing only the smooth black seed.
1902 W. Bateson & E. R. Saunders Rep. to Evol. Comm. Royal Soc. No. 1. 131 It has long been known to breeders that certain forms cannot be fixed by selection indefinitely continued.
1905 Jrnl. Royal Hort. Soc. 29 418 Whenever it is desired in a cross-bred strain to fix a dominant character selection must always be made of single families containing no recessive members.
1957 Ann. Math. Statistics 28 891 The gene A will ultimately be fixed in the population or completely lost from it.
1969 Times 17 Feb. 6/7 The breed was created after 17 years of ‘fixing’ a type from a beef Shorthorn-Highland cross.
1970 R. Gorer Devel. Garden Flowers i. 34 The recessive genes are always the easiest to fix, once they have been brought out.
3.
a. To direct steadily and unwaveringly, fasten, set (one's eyes, attention, affections, etc.) on, upon, †to (an object). Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > observe, note [verb (transitive)] > direct attentively
fixc1430
bend1581
rivet1603
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > fix the attention, concentrate [verb (transitive)] > implant, fix
set971
fixc1430
engrave1509
settle1560
inviscerate1626
arresta1667
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see or look [verb (reflexive)] > stare or gaze
fix1904
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems 35 Hyr eyen she fixethe on him.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xxx. xix Specially I gyve to you a charge To fyxe your love, for to be true and stable Upon your lady.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) i. ii. 5 Why are thine eyes fixt to the sullen earth? View more context for this quotation
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 44 Could but these Idolaters fix their mind upon Heaven.
1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §83. 96 The more we fix our Sight on any one Object.
1792 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1891) XII. 197 The enemy's attention would be less fixed to it.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 73 The hand, upon which every eye was fixed.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist III. xliii. 139 A mind unable..to detach itself from old..associations, though enabled to fix itself steadily on one object.
1866 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 1st Ser. 173 We fix attention on a single fundamental problem.
1904 L. T. Meade Love Triumphant iv. vii Her eyes fixed themselves on Leonora's face.
b. absol. To concentrate one's attention or mind on. Also intransitive for reflexive (said of the eyes, attention, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > fix the attention, concentrate [verb (transitive)]
intend1429
to run upon ——c1443
to run on ——?1499
to run of ——?1504
to stick to ——?1530
affix1553
medite1606
fix1664
meditate1700
linger1835
1664 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders (new ed.) i. sig. e4 You..could not suffer your Eyes to fix on slight objects.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. vi. 219 In most other Bodies, not propagated by Seed, 'tis the Colour we most fix on, and are most led by.
1760 S. Johnson Idler 23 Feb. 57 He will find nothing [in these books] on which Attention can fix.
c. Of an object of vision or thought: To ‘rivet’, attract and hold fast (the eye, the attention, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > engage the attention [verb (transitive)] > hold attention, absorb
swallowc1330
deepc1380
dare1547
suspend1561
preoccupy1567
devour1568
to swallow up1581
enwrap1589
invest1601
steep1603
to take up1603
spell1646
possess1653
enchain1658
engross1661
absorb1749
fix1752
rivet1762
fascinate1782
spell-bind1808
arrest1814
mesmerize1862
to turn on1903
get1913
consume1999
1752 W. Chaigneau Hist. Jack Connor I. 231 The Major gave a loud Hem, and having fix'd Sangfroid's Eyes, call'd out, [etc.]
1781 J. Moore View Soc. Italy (1790) I. xl. 437 Your admiration is fixed by the animated equestrian statue.
1792 C. Smith Desmond I. 53 There is not in the world another [subject] that really fixes my attention an instant.
1823 Ld. Byron Island iv. vii. 66 A shrine would fix The eye upon its seeming crucifix.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. xlvi. 206 That which chiefly fixes his attention is the influence of a State victory on an approaching national contest.
d. To make (the eyes, features, etc.) motionless or rigid (as in death). Also intransitive for reflexive.
ΚΠ
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 49 Fix, fix those tortured orbs in peace and death.
1842 Punch 2 20 Ere death her charms should fix.
1877 W. G. Wills Love that Kills xxi Her heart stops, and her eyes fix.
e. To make (a person) motionless with astonishment or other feeling, to hold spellbound.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > quality of affecting the emotions > affect with emotion [verb (transitive)] > strike with emotion
smitea1393
incuss1527
strike1533
incute1542
rapt?1577
fix1664
1664 J. Wilson Andronicus Comnenius i. i She fixt me, Ducas.
1795 H. Summersett Fate of Sedley II. 76 Paulinus was fixed in astonishment.
1802 Helen of Glenross IV. 18 At the first view of her I was fixed in admiration.
4.
a. transitive. To deprive of volatility or fluidity.Originally in Alchemy, to fasten a volatile spirit or essence by combination with a tangible solid or fluid; also, to render (mercury) solid by combination with some other substance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > subject to chemical reactions or processes [verb (transitive)] > subject to named chemical reaction or process > deprive of volatility or fluidity
fix1471
1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy Ep., in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 115 Dyssolve, Dystill, Sublyme..and Fyxe, With Aquavite.
a1475 Bk. Quinte Essence (1889) 15 It is nedeful þat he vse ofte good wiyn at his mete and at þe soper, in þe which be fixid þe 5. essence of gold, as I tauȝte ȝou tofore.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 53 The Earth..penetrating the rarified Cuticle, fixes the Humours by intercepting their free concourse.
1700 J. Astry tr. D. de Saavedra Fajardo Royal Politician I. 42 He will have a fancy to fix Mercury.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi ii. vii. 23/2 The Animal Spirits are fired by Irregular Particles, fixed with Acid, Bilious, Venemous Ferments in the Blood.
1728 H. Fielding Love in Several Masques v. x. 71 Women, like Quicksilver, are never fixed till they're dead.
1805 Chenevix in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 95 111 Mercury can be fixed..by platina.
1885 Hervey tr. Behrens Microsc. in Bot. iii. §4. 178 The cell wall..becomes rigid, and the protoplasm with slight contraction is ‘fixed’.
b. intransitive for reflexive. To lose volatility or fluidity; to become firm, rigid, or solidified; to congeal, set.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > become (more) dense or solid [verb (intransitive)]
thicka1000
starkOE
congealc1400
starken?a1513
concrease1578
thicken1598
knit1605
condensate1607
fix1626
saddena1642
concretea1676
incrassate1733
solidify1837
consolidate1885
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §847 The Quicke-Siluer will fix, and runne no more.
1716 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad II. v. 1114 When the Fig's prest Juice, infus'd in Cream, To Curds coagulates the liquid Stream, Sudden the Fluids fix.
1777 W. Robertson Hist. Amer. (1778) I. iv. 328 The blood fixes and congeals in a moment.
c. transitive. Of a plant or micro-organism: to assimilate (the nitrogen or carbon dioxide of the atmosphere) by causing it to become combined in a non-gaseous metabolizable form. Hence, to cause (an element, esp. nitrogen) to form a compound, whether gaseous or not, as the first step in some biological or industrial process.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > metabolism > [verb (transitive)] > processes
fix1850
the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > chemical processes or reactions > biochemical reactions and processes > biochemical processes [verb (transitive)] > fixation
fix1906
1850 Jrnl. Hort. Soc. 5 59 For a given quantity of water evaporated the amount..of the nitrogenous proximates fixed is..about twice as great in the Leguminosæ as in the Graminaceæ.
1862 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 151 448 The Nitrogen might enter directly into the organism of the plant, provided its green parts were adapted to fix it.
1887 Chem. News 4 Mar. 104/2 According to the author's [sc. Berthelot's] experiments arable soil continually fixes free atmospheric nitrogen.
1906 Jrnl. Soc. Chem. Industry 30 June 568/2 The electro~chemical processes which have been proposed for fixing atmospheric nitrogen are..very numerous.
1928 F. A. Ernst Fixation of Atmospheric Nitrogen i. 9 Calcium carbide at red heat will absorb free nitrogen as a sponge will water, thus fixing the nitrogen in the form of calcium cyanamide.
1930 R. E. Buchanan & E. I. Fulmer Physiol. & Biochem. Bacteria III. xvii. 174 The nitrogen fixed by microörganisms is used at once in the synthesis of the cell proteins.
1931 H. G. Wells et al. Sci. of Life vi. iv. 558 The green plant is good at fixing carbon, the bacterium at fixing nitrogen.
1940 Jrnl. Biol. Chem. 135 790 Escherichia coli and Propionibacterium pentosaceum fix CO2 with formation of succinic acid.
1946 Nature 28 Sept. 447/2 Application of phosphate fertilizers together with any substances which..stimulate the soil microflora will tend to increase the total amount of phosphorus fixed.
1947 J. R. Porter Bacterial Chem. & Physiol. ix. 831 The most important bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen belong to the genera Rhizobium (symbiotic root-nodule bacteria) and Azotobacter (nonsymbiotic bacteria).
1971 Sci. Amer. Sept. 62/3 Photosynthesis fixes carbon in the leaf and stores solar energy in the form of carbohydrate.
d. To preserve and harden biological material, esp. before microscopic examination.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > processes > [verb (transitive)] > fixation
fix1878
postosmicate1933
postfix1955
prefix1961
1878 Jrnl. Royal Microsc. Soc. 1 189 The property which osmic acid has of fixing the histological elements instantaneously in their actual form.
1969 W. V. Brown & E. M. Bertke Textbk. Cytol. iii. 16/1 Formaldehyde..is probably the most widely used chemical for fixing tissues.
e. Immunology. To bring about the fixation of (complement).In early use occasionally const. to and used as if belonging to sense 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > immunogenesis > [verb (transitive)] > fixation
fix1902
1902 Jrnl. Hygiene 2 257 The plague bacillus in the presence of the anti-plague immune body of the horse fixed complement of the normal guinea-pig and caused its disappearance from the mixture.
1903 Lancet 15 Aug. 447/2 In Tube B the complement becomes fixed to the treated corpuscles before sufficient immune-body can pass to the untreated corpuscles; as a matter of fact, immune-body does pass over, but by the time this has occurred all the complement has been fixed.
1964 M. Hynes Med. Bacteriol. (ed. 8) vii. 85 As little as 0·00001 ml. of human serum..will fix complement in the presence of 0·1 ml. of human antiserum.
1970 R. Passmore & J. S. Robson Compan. Med. Stud. II. xxii. 12/1 Both IgG and IgM molecules have the capacity to fix complement.
5. † b. To set down in writing (French fixer par écrit).
a. transitive. To make (a colour, a drawing, photographic image, etc.) fast or permanent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > colouring > dyeing > dye [verb (transitive)] > fix dye
set1601
fix1665
strike1769
age1830
mordant1839
pad1839
steam calico-printing1862
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 79 Colours..capable of being..fixt with several kinds of Saline menstruums.
1750 B. Franklin Let. 27 July in Suppl. Exper. & Observ. Electr. (1753) 91 This colour given by the flash from two jarrs only, will wipe off, but four jarrs fix it.
1845 Athenæum 22 Feb. 203 The first who succeeded in fixing the images taken by the camera.
1859 T. J. Gullick & J. Timbs Painting 316 There is no satisfactory method of ‘fixing’ pastel paintings.
1875 tr. H. W. Vogel Chem. Light & Photogr. i. 6 No means were then known to make the pictures durable..or as we now say, to fix them.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > [verb (transitive)] > set down in writing
adighteOE
to set on writea900
dightc1000
writeOE
brevea1225
layc1330
indite1340
take1418
annote1449
printa1450
scribe1465
redact?a1475
reduce1485
letter1504
recite1523
to commit to writing (also paper)1529
pen1530
reduce?1533
token up1535
scripture1540
titulea1550
to set down1562
quote1573
to put down1574
paper1594
to write down1594
apprehend1611
fix1630
exarate1656
depose1668
put1910
1630 J. Smith True Trav. To Earle of Pembroke sig. A2 Sir Robert Cotton..requested me to fix the whole course of my passages in a booke.
1657 tr. A. Thevet Prosopographia 76 in T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (new ed.) The Laws..(on Paper fixt)..pass the Seas.
c. To give permanent form to (evanescent images).
ΚΠ
1819 C. Lamb in Examiner 7 Nov. 716/2 O for the power of the pencil to have fixed them when we awoke!
6.
a. To force into or overtake in a position from which escape is difficult; to ‘corner’, ‘nail’. literal and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > of difficulty: beset (a person) [verb (transitive)] > put (a person) in difficulty > force into a difficult situation
to tie to the stake1544
fix1736
to set up1747
corner1824
to drive into a corner1861
bunker1930
to get or have (a person) by the short and curlies1948
to box (a person, esp. oneself) into a corner1955
1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough 406 It was his opinion..that they should fix the Rebels at Preston.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxxvii. 371 As I entered one..Room, he went into another... At last I fixed him speaking to Rachel.
b. To hold (a person) engaged or occupied, so as to prevent his leaving the spot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > remain in (a place) > prevent from leaving by engaging or trapping
entangle1611
fix1668
1668 G. Etherege She wou'd if she Cou'd i. ii. 10 When Mr. Courtall has fix'd 'em With a Beer-glass or two, he intends to steal Away.
1764 S. Foote Patron i. 14 Fix the old fellow so that she may not be miss'd.
c. to fix (a person) with one's eyes: to direct upon him a steady gaze from which he cannot escape.Cf. French fixer avec l'œil, condemned by Littré as incorrect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > stare or gaze at > in the face
to look (a person, etc.) in the facec1400
to stare (a person) in the face1510
to fix (a person) with one's eyes1792
envisage1820
fasten1870
impale1877
1792 F. Burney Let. 27 June in Jrnls. & Lett. (1972) I. 209 Mrs. Wells..fixed her Eyes on Mrs. Crewe..Mrs. Crewe fixed her in return..with a firm, composed..look.
1879 F. W. Robinson Coward Conscience iii. xix Ursula..‘fixed’ Mrs. Coombes with a steady, searching stare.
1894 Mrs. H. Ward Marcella I. i. viii. 142 Marcella fixed him with her bright frank eyes.
d. Of the eyes: To arrest (an object of vision) with the gaze, i.e. to have a steady vision of it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > stare or gaze at > of eye: rest upon
stay1548
fix1791
1791 F. Burney Diary 4 June (1842) V. 211 His eyes..could not fix any object steadily.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > transfix
through-driveOE
through-nimc1275
stickc1330
through-piercec1330
to stick througha1382
preenc1390
spitc1430
thirlc1450
broacha1470
prickc1475
to stick up1528
transfix1590
fix1638
bestick1667
impalea1678
spiculate1835
skewer1837
to strike through1893
1638 G. Sandys Paraphr. Iob xx. 27 in Paraphr. Divine Poems While from the raging sword he vainely flyes, A Bow of Steele shall fixe his trembling thighes.
II. To place definitely.absolute.1748 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 167 To paint an Altar Piece in such scripture-historical manner as the said Committee shall fix.
8.
a. To place in a definite and more or less permanent position; to set, station. to fix up: to set up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > place in assigned position
set971
stall1415
stell1488
fix1569
statea1590
stationize1598
post1609
station1685
plant1693
stance17..
possie1918
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > make vertical [verb (transitive)] > make upright or erect > a structure
areara800
to set upa1225
to bring up1297
biga1400
seta1400
erect1417
hainc1440
rect?a1475
to fix up1569
uptower1848
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > gather together [verb (transitive)] > put together parts (of something) and erect it
to fix up1569
to set up1683
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 18 The Citizens..fixed on his graue stone this Epitaph.
1633 S. Marmion Fine Compan. iii. ii Were I a goddess..I would..fix you up A monument for your hypocrisy.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 8 The Pole-star..is..fixt in the tip of the little Beares taile.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler i. 7 Hee shall finde it fix'd before the Dialogues of Lucian. View more context for this quotation
1674 J. D. Mall Ep. Ded. sig. A3 The Glory I take, in seeing your Name fixt in the frontispiece.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xvi. 162 It [sc. a picture] was so very large that we had no place in the house to fix it.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 199 The beds..were fixed up..near the fire.
1796 T. Twining Trav. Amer. (1894) 3 The dining-table was fixed in the middle of the room.
b. To place, install (a person, oneself) in a position, with preparations for a stay; in early military use, †to set (oneself) in a posture of defence. to fix (a person) up (colloquial): to ‘put (him) up’, provide with quarters.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defend [verb (reflexive)]
were993
fendc1330
fix1697
society > inhabiting and dwelling > providing with dwelling > [verb (transitive)] > provide with temporary accommodation
innOE
harbourc1150
gestena1300
guestc1330
hostelc1330
receivec1384
sojourn1390
harbry14..
shroudc1450
bestow1577
accommodate1592
board1600
quarter1603
stow1607
to put up1635
billet1637
lodge1741
room1840
to fix (a person) up1889
summer-board1889
shack1927
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World i. 5 We..fixt our selves against our Enemies, if we should be attack'd.
1825 W. Scott Let. Sept.–Oct. (1935) IX. 229 After he has had his umbrella and portmanteau accommodated and himself comfortably fixed [in a coach].
1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xxxvi. 316 She fixed herself at her desk to write her letter.
1889 R. C. Praed Romance of Station 161 He'd..fix up Mr. Sabine comfortably for the night.
c. To establish (a person) in a place of residence, a position or office; to take up (one's quarters, abode); to locate, settle (an industry, etc.) in a certain place. In passive, to be (comfortably or otherwise) ‘placed’ or circumstanced.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > [verb (transitive)] > establish (residence)
planteOE
to take up1523
settle1562
enter1603
fix1638
society > inhabiting and dwelling > providing with dwelling > [verb (transitive)]
couchc1400
inhabit1413
seat1586
fix1638
haft1728
domiciliate1778
home1802
domicile1809
settle1853
adopt1897
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > fix or establish in position
i-set971
fastc1275
stablea1300
steada1300
pitchc1300
stablisha1325
ficchec1374
resta1393
seizea1400
locate1513
root1535
plant?a1562
room1567
repose1582
fix1638
haft1728
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > fix or establish in position > specifically a person
ground1382
instate1613
fix1638
install1647
induct1707
1638 H. Wotton in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 54 In any part where I shall understand you fixed.
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. i. xiv. 27 John Calvin..fixed his Chayre at Geneva.
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 353 Noah..fixed his Quarters somewhere in Mergiana.
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 134 Here this Trade of making Mum may be fixt with very great advantage.
1694 J. Dryden Love Triumphant Ded. sig. A3 Our decay'd Gentry..look about them for some Illustrious Family, and there endeavour to fix their young Darling.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi iv. i. 127/1 Conforming to the Ceremonies of the Church of England, he was fixed at Biddiford.
1754 tr. A.-L. Morin-Dumesnil Hist. Young Lady of Distinction II. 214 He is fixing himself, as if he was to live here for ever.
1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. I. ii. 145 They determined to fix their residence at Edinburgh.
1803 R. Southey in J. W. Robberds Mem. W. Taylor (1843) I. 475 We are fixed here for some time.
1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 282 I am happy to see them all comfortably fixed.
1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 409 The Hanse..fixed their factories in Lisbon, Bergen, and Novogorod.
9. intransitive for reflexive. To settle, take up a position; esp. to settle permanently, take up one's abode.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > [verb (intransitive)] > establish residence
wickc897
telda1325
buildc1340
nestlea1382
to take (up) one's inn (or inns)a1400
to hold (also keep, make, take, etc.) one's mansiona1425
to take one's lodgec1475
reside1490
inhabit1548
to settle one's rest1562
to sit down1579
to set up (or in) one's staff (of rest)1584
to set (up) one's rest1590
nest1591
to set down one's rest1591
roost1593
inherit1600
habituate1603
seat1612
to take up (one's) residencea1626
settle1627
pitch1629
fix1638
locate1652
to marry and settle1718
domesticate1768
domiciliate1815
to hang up one's hat1826
domicile1831
to stick one's stakes1872
homestead1877
to put down roots1882
to hang one's hat1904
localize1930
the world > space > place > position or situation > be positioned or situated [verb (intransitive)] > take up position
to take (a tree) to stallc1275
pitch1535
range1582
suit1591
to take (up) (one's) station?1596
to fall in1627
to take ground1700
fix1710
to take one's (also a) perch1871
post1872
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 102 Bidding farewell to the world..[he] fixes at Zirmol.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 263. ⁋4 The Dinner has crept..from Twelve o'clock to Three, and where it will fix no Body knows.
1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Antiq. Jews xviii. vi, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 584 Governors..are not to fix there, but to stay a short time.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 97 Wherever luxury once fixes, no art can either lessen or remove it.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. vi. xiii. 18 The solitary Bee..Seeking in vain one blossom, where to fix.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice I. vi. 54 I had once some thoughts of fixing in town. View more context for this quotation
1862 T. L. Peacock Wks. (1875) III. 300 Well, let us fix here.
10.
a. To take up one's position mentally. ? Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1623 P. Massinger Duke of Millaine ii. i. sig. E3 Take heed, That you fixe here, and feed no hope beyond this.
1646 H. Lawrence Of Communion & Warre with Angels 170 Your hope fixeth upon seeing him in heaven.
1655 in E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 332 Mais Dieu sur tout; and there I fix and pray.
1757 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 10 Oct. (1932) (modernized text) V. 2248 I am lost in astonishment and conjectures, and do not know where to fix.
b. to fix on or upon: to settle one's choice on or upon; to decide upon, choose, select.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > choose [verb (transitive)]
choosec893
achooseeOE
i-cheoseOE
curea1225
choise1505
to make choice of1588
pitch1628
to fix on or upon1653
trysta1694
pick1824
to prick for1828
plump1848
to come down1886
plunk1935
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures lxxvi. 311 I was nominated unto him as the fittest he could fix upon.
1712 A. Pope tr. Ovid Fable Vertumnus & Pomona in Misc. Poems 134 Fix on Vertumnus, and reject the rest.
1823 H. J. Brooke Familiar Introd. Crystallogr. 229 Our choice would probably fix on that which was most predominant.
1855 D. Costello Stories from Screen 74 The night which Laloubière fixed upon for the carrying out of his plot.
c. To decide, determine to (do something); also const. for with gerund, or with subordinate sentence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > resolve or decide [verb]
willOE
ordain1340
deemc1400
delibera1413
machine?c1450
order?1523
decree1526
deliberate1550
fix1788
1788 Trifler 206 He fix'd to come with some eclat to Town.
1794 E. Gunning Packet IV. 35 They fixed for going to the parsonage early the next morning.
1813 R. Southey Life Nelson I. 132 It was immediately fixed that the brigadier should go.
1834 J. Keble in J. H. Newman Lett. & Corr. (1891) II. 23 I have fixed to go to London next week.
1866 Times 29 Dec. 10/3 The lady had entirely fixed to lead a life of celibacy.
11.
a. To appoint or assign the precise position of; to refer (something) to a definite place, time, etc.; †to appoint or attribute exclusively to (some particular person, thing, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > stability, fixity > make stable, establish [verb (transitive)] > on, in, or into
groundc1374
confirmc1386
inground1581
secure1609
fix1662
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ i. v. §1 [The ancients had various estimates of the length of the year;] what certainty can we possibly have which of them to fix their accounts to?
1692 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §15 When Custom has fixed his Eating to certain stated Periods, his Stomach will expect Victuals at the usual Hour.
1776 T. Jefferson Let. 20 Aug. in Papers (1950) I. 500 The commissions..do not fix the officers to any particular battalion.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ ii. 11 We have these circumstances each..fixed to a particular time.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1737 I. 52 [Johnson:] Here will I fix the limits of transgression.
1874 J. H. Newman Tracts Theol. & Eccl. 340 The full moon is not fixed to any certain day in either month.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) IV. 271 Wherever we fix a limit, space is springing up beyond.
b. To allocate, determine the incidence of (a responsibility, liability, etc.). Also, to fix (a person) with costs, to fix (a person) with liability, etc.: to impose upon him the obligation of meeting or paying them.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)]
mulct?a1475
gersum1483
unlaw1508
finea1513
check1526
to be put to one's fine1542
punish1552
forfeitc1592
tinsel1609
sconce1641
physic1821
to fix (a person) with liability1833
log1889
society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint > determine incidence of
fix1833
1833 Ld. Brougham in Mylne & Keen Rep. II. 248 No degree of mistake..would entitle the Court to fix a next friend with costs.
1850 Florist June 159 Take care to fix your judges with the full responsibility of their decisions.
1884 Sir J. Bacon in Law Times' Rep. 52 568/2 The liability with which the plaintiffs seek to fix them.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. III. lxxxvi. 151 The American plan of dividing powers..makes it hard to fix responsibility.
12. To settle definitely; to appoint or assign with precision; to specify or determine. Const. at, for, to.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint
asetc885
teachc897
deemc900
ashapea1000
i-demeOE
setc1000
shiftc1000
stevenOE
redeOE
willOE
lookc1175
showc1175
stablea1300
devise1303
terminea1325
shapec1330
stightlea1375
determinec1384
judgea1387
sign1389
assize1393
statute1397
commanda1400
decree1399
yarka1400
writec1405
decreetc1425
rule1447
stallc1460
constitute1481
assignc1485
institute1485
prescribec1487
constitue1489
destinate1490
to lay down1493
make?a1513
call1523
plant1529
allot1532
stint1533
determ1535
appointa1538
destinec1540
prescrive1552
lot1560
fore-appoint1561
nominate1564
to set down1576
refer1590
sort1592
doom1594
fit1600
dictate1606
determinate1636
inordera1641
state1647
fix1660
direct1816
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > make specific [verb (transitive)] > specify or state precisely > as something desired or decided upon
limita1425
nominate1564
name1597
state1658
fix1660
1660 R. Coke Elements Power & Subjection 134 in Justice Vindicated After some reasonable time fixt.
1694 R. Molesworth Acct. Denmark in 1692 (ed. 3) 223 The prices of all these Drugs are fixed.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 516 What definition or standard should be made for fixing the sense of so general a term.
1719 Free-thinker No. 120. 2 The ordinary Meetings of the Senate..were fixed to the Day of the Calends.
1739 Ld. Chesterfield Wks. (1892) V. 500 Chronology..fixes the dates of facts.
1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. I. 319 He afterwards fixed the price of corn to a moderate standard.
1772 B. Franklin Let. 13 Jan. in Wks. (1887) IV. 431 The opening of the session..is fixed for next Tuesday.
1821 R. Southey Life (1849) I. 42 This recollection..fixes the date to 1778, when I was four years old.
1825 W. Scott Let. 13 May (1935) IX. 113 Mr. Chantrey..has been down here fixing the place for the Kings statue.
1869 E. A. Parkes Man. Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 5 The War Office authorities have fixed the daily supply..at 8 gallons.
1876 W. E. Gladstone Homeric Synchronism 9 An endeavour to fix the place of Homer in History.
13. To settle or determine the form of, give a permanent form to (language or literature).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > maintaining state or condition > maintain [verb (transitive)]
i-haldOE
sustainc1300
keepc1315
maintainc1390
conservea1425
continuec1460
entertain1490
persevere1502
uphold?1523
containa1538
petrifya1631
conservate1647
to keep on1669
to keep up1670
preserve1677
support1696
fix1712
ossify1800
fossilize1848
1712 J. Swift Proposal 31 That some Method should be thought on for ascertaining and fixing our Language for ever.
1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 223 Eminent and refined geniuses..fix the tongue by their writings.
1837 H. Hallam Introd. Lit. Europe I. iii. 241 The use of printing fixed the text of a whole edition.
1874 F. D. Maurice Friendship Bks. iii. 75 It [Wycliffe's Translation of the Bible] has fixed the language.
14.
a. To adjust, make ready for use (arms, instruments, etc.); to arrange in proper order. †to fix a shell: to fit it with a fuse. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)]
rightlOE
attire1330
ettlea1350
to set (also put) in rulea1387
redress1389
dress?a1400
fettlea1400
governc1405
yraylle1426
direct1509
settlec1530
tune1530
instruct1534
rede1545
commodate1595
square1596
concinnate1601
concinnea1620
rectify1655
fix1663
to put (also bring) into repair1673
arrange1802
pipeclay1806
to get together1810
to do up1886
to jack up1939
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > for use > by positioning
ship1616
fix1663
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > adjust for use or smooth operation
rig1627
fix1663
tune1916
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > management of artillery > operate artillery [verb (intransitive)] > fit shell with fuse
to fix a shell1769
1663 S. Pepys Diary 12 July (1971) IV. 228 I found..the armes well fixed, charged, and primed.
1666 Earl of Orrery Coll. State Lett. (1743) I. 241 We have in every garrison one gunsmith..who buys arms for us, and fixes them up privately.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World iii. 45 We went back..to fix our Rigging, which was shattered in the Fight.
1701 G. Farquhar Sir Harry Wildair ii. i 10 Are all things set in order? The Toilet fix'd, the Bottles and Combs put in form?
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine sig. Dd No shells, fixed during the service, are to be kitted.
1779 T. Forrest Voy. New Guinea 287 I thought it a good opportunity to fix my german flute.
1797 G. Washington Let. in Writings (1892) XIII. 417 To have the press fixed for copying.
b. In wider sense (chiefly U.S. colloquial): To arrange, get ready, put in order; to put to rights, make tidy, ‘rig up’; spec. to prepare (food or drink). Also with off, over, and up and const. for (doing something). to fix out, ‘to set out, display, adorn, supply, fit out’ ( Cent.); to fix the table (see quot. 18422); to fix one's face, etc.: to put on or rearrange one's make-up, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything
feather?c1225
serve?c1225
astore1297
purveya1325
purveyc1325
warnishc1330
supply1384
bego1393
garnish?a1400
stuff14..
instore1432
relievec1480
providec1485
appurvey1487
support?1507
furnishc1515
repair1518
supply1529
speed1531
help (a person) to (also with)1569
sort1598
suffice1600
enduea1616
starta1640
employ1690
find1713
to fix out1725
issue1737
service1969
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > prepare or put in order
tailc1330
ordain1340
disposec1375
appoint1393
fettlea1400
tifta1400
richc1400
tiffc1400
orderc1515
instruct1534
prune1586
compose1612
to make up1759
fix1783
the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > put in order or tidy
redeOE
slick1340
redda1500
prepare1585
spruce1594
rid1599
snod1608
to clear up1762
snug1787
ted1811
tidy1821
side1825
fix1832
to pick up1853
mense1859
straighten1867
square1909
neaten1942
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > prepare food [verb (transitive)]
makeOE
dightc1320
dressa1325
array1366
prepare1490
guise1604
catea1617
trick1824
fix1839
get1873
nap1961
the world > food and drink > food > setting table > [verb (transitive)]
layc1300
spreadc1300
setc1386
servec1405
cover1563
to lay in1788
lie1809
fix1842
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > beautify the skin or complexion [verb (intransitive)]
to do (also to put on) one's (or a) face1923
to fix one's face1933
1725 S. Willard in H. S. Nourse Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 237 I fixed the men out with stores.
1769 I. Bickerstaff Dr. Last ii. vii We'd fix things directly; I'll settle whatever you please upon her.]
1783 Jas. Smith Tour 1 Dec. in Ohio State Archaeol. & Hist. Q. (1907) XVI. 360 After having fixed up our luggage and taken breakfast we started from Capt. Owsley's.
1804 W. Clark Let. 21 May in Jrnls. Lewis & Clark Exped. (1991) VII. 301 Captain Lewis..has been detained at St. Louis to fix off the Osage chiefs.
?a1832 F. Trollope Notebks. in Domest. Manners Amer. (1949) App. A. 414 You must fix me a drink.
1832 T. B. Macaulay Life & Lett. (1883) I. 272 As soon as I was fixed in my best and had breakfasted.
1839 F. Marryat Diary in Amer. II. 228 ‘Shall I fix your coat or your breakfast first?’
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes II. ii. 46 You call upon a gentleman in a country town, and his help informs you that he is ‘fixing himself’ just now, but will be down directly: by which you are to understand that he is dressing.
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes II. ii. 46 You inquire..whether breakfast will be ready soon, and he tells you..they were ‘fixing the tables:’ in other words, laying the cloth.
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes II. ii. 46 You are advised to have recourse to Doctor so and so, who will ‘fix you’ in no time.
1853 J. G. Baldwin Flush Times Alabama & Mississippi 99 Tom had unfortunately fixed him for visiting his mother on crutches.
1856 Knickerbocker June 617 Only point me out your traps, and I'll send them up to the hotel, and fix you off all as square as a box.
1860 O. W. Holmes Elsie Venner (1887) 77 Come here, girls, and fix yourselves in the glass.
1873 C. M. Yonge Pillars of House IV. xlv. 278 He examined the last roll of proof..and said..‘I can fix off a sheet for you.’
1882 A. Edwardes Ballroom Repent. I. 4 None of the physicians in Europe can fix her up.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi xxvi. 286 [The feud] could have been fixed up, easy enough.
1884 M. E. Wilkins in Harper's Mag. July 304/2 I'll hev to fix me up some thoroughwort tea.
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee Word 22 We fixed up an agreement.
1891 B. Harte First Family Tasajara ii Mother'll fix you suthin' hot.
1893 W. Tirebuck Sweetheart Gwen ii. iii. 223 It's the weekly meeting and I fix the table.
1908 R. W. Chambers Firing Line xxi. 367 Use a sponge and cold water and fix your hair and put on your shoes.
1917 C. Mathewson Second Base Sloan 279 Tell him to show that to the man at the ticket office and he will fix him out.
1928 A. Waugh Last Chukka 87 Why don't we go into the club now, and fix it up?
1933 A. Christie Lord Edgware Dies ii. 23 Come in here and talk to me while I fix my face.
1936 P. G. Wodehouse Laughing Gas ii. 23 They come to take me out to some party, and they find me in my kitchen in a gingham wrapper, fixing a Welsh rarebit.
1941 J. P. Marquand H. M. Pulham, Esq. xxiv. 385 When we did have a guest, Gladys had to move..into the old nursery, which we never had got around to fixing over.
1947 W. H. Auden Age of Anxiety (1948) v. 103 Cutting sandwiches and fixing drinks.
1953 N. Gordimer Lying Days ii. vii. 69 In my room..I fixed my hair this way and that.
1962 ‘K. Orvis’ Damned & Destroyed xiii. 88 I should go and fix my face.
1969 ‘A. Glyn’ Dragon Variation iii. 74 She..went to the bathroom, bathed her face and fixed it.
c. Originally and chiefly U.S. to fix (a person): to deal with, settle or ‘do for’ (a person); to kill (a person). to fix it: to arrange matters. any way you can fix it: whatever you do, contrive as you may. to fix (another's) flint: to settle or ‘do for’ him.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > be in control [verb (intransitive)] > manage or administrate
administrate1567
lead1579
manage1603
carrya1616
conduct1677
to fix it1836
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > destroy or ruin a person
spillc950
amarOE
smitelOE
aspillc1175
mischievec1325
to bid (something) misadventurec1330
mara1375
fordoc1380
undo1390
wrack1564
to make roast meat of (also for)1565
wrake1567
wreck1590
speed1594
feeze1609
to do a person's business1667
cook1708
to settle a person's hash1795
diddle1806
to fix1836
raddle1951
the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (intransitive)] > arrange
to fix it1836
arrange1849
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery, superiority, or advantage [verb (intransitive)] > defeat completely
to break one's back or neck1579
to be too many for1692
to do for ——1740
to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835
to fix (another's) flint1836
to cut the ground from under one (or one's feet)1855
the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (intransitive)]
to shed blood?a1100
to let blood?c1225
to be (a person's) priesta1450
shortena1535
kill1535
to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568
to trip (also turn, tumble, kick, etc.) up a person's heels1587
to make dice of (a person's) bones1591
to put out (also quench) a person's light(s)1599
account1848
to fix1875
the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]
swevec725
quelmeOE
slayc893
quelleOE
of-falleOE
ofslayeOE
aquellc950
ayeteeOE
spillc950
beliveOE
to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE
fordoa1000
forfarea1000
asweveOE
drepeOE
forleseOE
martyrOE
to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE
bringc1175
off-quellc1175
quenchc1175
forswelta1225
adeadc1225
to bring of daysc1225
to do to deathc1225
to draw (a person) to deathc1225
murder?c1225
aslayc1275
forferec1275
to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275
martyrc1300
strangle1303
destroya1325
misdoa1325
killc1330
tailc1330
to take the life of (also fro)c1330
enda1340
to kill to (into, unto) death1362
brittena1375
deadc1374
to ding to deathc1380
mortifya1382
perisha1387
to dight to death1393
colea1400
fella1400
kill out (away, down, up)a1400
to slay up or downa1400
swelta1400
voida1400
deliverc1400
starvec1425
jugylc1440
morta1450
to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480
to put offc1485
to-slaya1500
to make away with1502
to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503
rida1513
to put downa1525
to hang out of the way1528
dispatch?1529
strikea1535
occidea1538
to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540
to fling to deathc1540
extinct1548
to make out of the way1551
to fet offa1556
to cut offc1565
to make away?1566
occise1575
spoil1578
senda1586
to put away1588
exanimate1593
unmortalize1593
speed1594
unlive1594
execute1597
dislive1598
extinguish1598
to lay along1599
to make hence1605
conclude1606
kill off1607
disanimate1609
feeze1609
to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611
to kill dead1615
transporta1616
spatch1616
to take off1619
mactate1623
to make meat of1632
to turn up1642
inanimate1647
pop1649
enecate1657
cadaverate1658
expedite1678
to make dog's meat of1679
to make mincemeat of1709
sluice1749
finisha1753
royna1770
still1778
do1780
deaden1807
deathifyc1810
to lay out1829
cool1833
to use up1833
puckeroo1840
to rub out1840
cadaverize1841
to put under the sod1847
suicide1852
outkill1860
to fix1875
to put under1879
corpse1884
stiffen1888
tip1891
to do away with1899
to take out1900
stretch1902
red-light1906
huff1919
to knock rotten1919
skittle1919
liquidate1924
clip1927
to set over1931
creasea1935
ice1941
lose1942
to put to sleep1942
zap1942
hit1955
to take down1967
wax1968
trash1973
ace1975
1836 D. Crockett Exploits & Adventures in Texas 125 The people in Texas would have nothing to do with that affair, nohow they could fix it.
1840 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 3rd Ser. xii Their manners are rude..They want their flints fixed for 'em.
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes II. ii. 46 You beg a porter to collect your luggage, and he entreats you not to be uneasy, for he'll ‘fix it presently’.
1843 T. C. Haliburton Attaché I. ii A wet day is considerable tiresome..any way you can fix it.
1860 O. W. Holmes Professor at Breakfast-table i. 19 If you can't fix it so as to be born here [i.e. in Boston], you can come and live here.
1860 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang (ed. 2) 140 To fix one's flint for him, i.e., to settle his hash.
1874 ‘M. Twain’ Lett. (1917) I. 216 I'll close the door against them all—which will ‘fix’ all of the lot.
1875 Chicago Tribune 25 Sept. 7/1 McDonald..said, ‘I'll fix you, Fiddler Neary.’ He drew a weapon.
1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. 42/1 To ‘fix’ the flint of any person, is to serve him out.
1942 P. G. Wodehouse Money in Bank xii. 124 ‘Don't you worry. I'll fix him.’..‘How do you mean, fix?’ ‘Just fix.’ ‘You wouldn't croak him?’ Mrs Molloy laughed merrily at the whimsical thought.
1957 Times Lit. Suppl. 8 Nov. 670/3 He tries to ‘fix’ her by another [lawsuit], but she wins that too. Unhappily, Seymour ‘fixes’ it so that her besotted husband gets custody of the younger child.
d. Originally U.S. ‘To make favourable to one's purposes’ (Bartlett), to ‘square’, usually by illegal means, esp. bribery.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > illegal payment or exaction > [verb (transitive)] > bribe
meedOE
underorna1325
corrump1387
forbuy1393
hirec1400
wage1461
fee1487
under-arearc1503
bribe1528
grease1528
money1528
corrupt1548
budc1565
to feed with money1567
to put out a person's eyes with (a gift, bribe, etc.)1580
sweeten1594
to grease the fist or (one) in the fist1598
over-bribe1619
to buy off1629
palter1641
to take off1646
buy1652
overmoneya1661
bub1684
to speak to ——1687
to tickle in the palm1694
daub1699
overbuy1710
touch1752
palm1767
to get at ——1780
fix1790
subsidize1793
sop1837
to buy over1848
backsheesh1850
nobble1856
square1859
hippodrome1866
see1867
boodleize1883
boodle1886
to get to ——1901
reach1906
straighten1923
lubricate1928
to keep (someone) sweet1939
sling1939
to pay off1942
bung1950
1790 in Jrnl. Wm. Maclay (1927) 248 It is expected of us that we should fix the Governor of Pennsylvania.
1872 G. P. Burnham Mem. U.S. Secret Service 72 When Biebusch saw this man in Court, whom he fancied he had ‘fixed’ for certain, the criminal wilted.
1881 Standard 7 Sept. 5/2 It is true that they talk of ‘fixing’ a horse, but they also use ‘nobbling’ in the same sense.
1886 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 15 July An organized attempt is being made to fix the jury.
1886 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 24 Aug. 4/3 Fixing Legislatures.
1908 Atlantic Monthly Aug. 230/2 A jockey or a pugilist is ‘fixed’.
1941 L. A. G. Strong Bay ix. 229 She had ignored the difficulty of fixing Muriel.
1959 Daily Tel. 10 Dec. 20/3 He was told that a [driving] test could be ‘fixed’ for £10.
1960 Guardian 18 Oct. 8/2 The mere suspicion that matches were being ‘fixed’ would be disastrous for the game.
e. To mend, repair. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > mending or repairing > [verb (transitive)]
beetc975
menda1200
amenda1250
rightc1275
botcha1382
reparela1382
cure1382
repaira1387
dighta1400
emend1411
to mend up1479
restablishc1500
help1518
trimc1520
redub1522
reparate1548
accommodate1552
reinstaure1609
reconcinnate1623
to do up1647
righta1656
fixa1762
doctor1829
vamp1837
service1916
rejig1976
a1762 S. Niles Indian Wars in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. (1861) 4th Ser. V. 401 A number of hands came to fix our whale-boats.
1870 ‘M. Twain’ Sketches New & Old (1875) 20 [I] finally took the watch to another watchmaker... He fixed it, and gave it a fresh start.
1947 ‘N. Shute’ Chequer Board iii. 59 They fixed the vicar's Austin Seven.
1949 F. Sargeson I saw in my Dream 37 Arnold was fixing his motor bike.
f. To castrate, sterilize (an animal).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > [verb (transitive)] > castrate
geldc1225
lib1396
stone1584
caponize1654
alter1821
twitchel1826
doctor1834
neuter1903
fix1930
capon-
1930 D. H. Lawrence Nettles 21 Is he a gentleman or a lady?—Neither, my dear! I had him fixed. It saves him from so many undesirable associations.
1962 Coast to Coast 1961–2 13 Many years ago he had chosen Silvanus from a litter of kittens, and Brett had ‘fixed’ it, as he had ‘fixed’ so many male animals on the farm.
1970 Washington Post 30 Sept. B7 ‘If you fix a stallion,’ said Dawnita, ‘something happens. He just doesn't have as much action.’
15. (See quot. 1881.)
ΚΠ
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 133 Fix, to fettle or line with a fix or fettling..the hearth of a puddling furnace.
16. intransitive.
a. To intend; to arrange, get ready, make preparations, for or to do something. Also with out and up. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare or get ready [verb (intransitive)]
buskc1330
agraith1340
to make readya1382
arraya1387
providec1425
prepare1517
addressa1522
apparel1523
bouna1525
buckle1563
to make frecka1572
fettle?c1600
fix1716
to set into ——1825
to show foot1825
ready1878
to fang a pump, (loosely) a well1883
prep1900
to get (oneself) organized1926
to sharpen one's pencil1957
1716 B. Church Entertaining Passages Philip's War i. 42 He fixes for another Expedition.
1779 D. Livermore in New Hampsh. Hist. Soc. Coll. (1850) VI. 335 Troops are busy in clearing and fixing for laying the foundations of the huts.
1829–1943 in H. Wentworth Amer. Dial. Dict.
1854–5 in N. E. Eliason Tarheel Talk (1956) iv. 136 Aunt Lizy is just fixing to go to church.
1871 H. B. Stowe Oldtown Fireside Stories 55 He was a fixin' out for the voyage.
1875 ‘M. Twain’ Speeches (1923) 55 You fix up for the drought.
1907 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 22 Aug. 6 What a pretty night! The moon is fixing to shine!
1914 G. Atherton Perch of Devil i. 32 I meet..schoolgirls..so painted up they look as if they was fixin'..to be bad.
1935 J. B. Priestley Wonder Hero iv. §3. 121 I may be able to fix up for you both to go out to supper afterwards.
1970 H. E. Roberts Third Ear 6/2 Fixin' to, about to do something; to be ready or to intend to.
b. (Usually with up.) To put oneself in proper trim; to dress up; to spruce up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautify (the person) [verb (intransitive)]
trick?1532
mundify1568
prune1568
to finify it1586
prink1591
brisk1592
tiff1700
fetish1735
beautify1777
adonize1781
fix1783
smart1794
smarten1813
titivate1835
primp1887
doll1916
1783 Jas. Smith Tour 7 Dec. in Ohio State Archaeol. & Hist. Q. (1907) XVI. 361 We fixed up and started from our encampment as soon as it was well light.
1834 D. Crockett Narr. Life vii. 51 I fixed up, and joined old Major Russell again.
1845 S. Judd Margaret iii. 393 Pa and Ma..were for fixing up a little.
a1852 F. M. Whitcher Widow Bedott Papers (1883) xxvi. 116 She looked as if she'd fixed in a wonderful hurry.
1873 J. H. Beadle Undeveloped West x. 177 When we can build larger houses it will be time to fix up.
1929 W. Faulkner Sartoris iii. iii. 202 You better go to the bathroom and fix up.
1964 Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 26 Feb. (1970) 75 They were readying a press conference... I fixed up a bit and went down with Lynda.
c. intransitive and transitive. To inject (oneself) with narcotics. (Cf. fix n. 4) slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > take drugs [verb (intransitive)] > by injection
shoot1914
hypo1925
fix1938
jab1938
skin-pop1951
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > take drugs [verb (transitive)] > inject (with) drugs
shoot1914
jab1938
mainline1938
main1952
pop1952
skin1953
fix1969
1938 Amer. Speech 13 184/1 To fix, to take narcotics.
1962 ‘K. Orvis’ Damned & Destroyed ix. 59 No wonder you're setting there so smug and relaxed. You fixed this morning. You're floating!
1963 A. Trocchi Cain's Book 78 The one vital coil in him is the bitter knowledge that he can choose to fix again.
1967 M. M. Glatt et al. Drug Scene in Great Brit. vii. 87 At first I ‘fixed’ only once a week, then more often, and after about six months I was addicted.
1969 Guardian 8 July 18/1 The Association for the Prevention of Addiction's centre..shelters addicts and allows them to ‘fix’ themselves from 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Draft additions February 2005
transitive. Originally U.S. With up.
a. To arrange for (a person) to be provided with.
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1905 B. Tarkington Conquest of Canaan v. 86 Can you fix me up with something different?
1968 Times 5 Oct. 26/6 Erna Low Travel Service can fix you up with an eight-day holiday.
2002 Weekly Standard (Washington, D.C.) 17 June 4/3 Gary Regan..jumped behind the bar to fix us up with bourbon sidecars and Manhattans.
b. To encourage or arrange for (a person, couple, etc.) to embark upon a romantic or sexual relationship; to arrange a date for. Frequently with with.
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1933 S. Kingsley Men in White i. i. 29 Pete. Fix him up... Shorty. It'd do him good. That's the trouble with love—it kills your sex-life.
1955 ‘P. Dennis’ Auntie Mame vii. 160 If you're having any trouble getting a girl, old man, I can fix you up with Mollie's cousin, Gloria Upson.
1984 A. Maupin Babycakes xxiii. 102 Don't fix them up, Brian... She's too much of a vulture.
1996 H. Fielding Bridget Jones's Diary (1997) 282 The minute I decide I like Mark Darcy, everyone immediately stops trying to fix me up with him.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1816
adj.adv.c1374
v.14..