fix

fix [fiks]

vt.

fixed, fixing [ME fixen < fix, fixed < L fixus, pp. of figere, to fasten, attach: see FINISH]

1.

a) to make firm, stable, or secure

b) to fasten or attach firmly

2. to set firmly in the mind

3.

a) to direct steadily [to fix the eyes on a target]

b) to direct one's eyes steadily at [to fix the target]

4. to make rigid or stiff [to fix one's jaw]

5. to make permanent or lasting [color is fixed in dyeing]

6.

a) to arrange or establish definitely; set [to fix the date of a wedding]

b) to determine with certainty [to fix the period of the dinosaurs' existence]

c) to assign or ascribe [the jury must fix guilt]

7. to arrange properly or in a certain way; set in order; adjust

8. to restore to proper condition; repair, mend, remedy, heal, etc.

9. to bank, refuel, and tend (a fire)

10. to prepare and cook (food or meals)

11. to preserve (a specimen) so that its tissue, etc. can be used for microscopic study

☆ 12. Informal to influence the result or action of (a horse race, jury, election, etc.) to one's advantage by bribery, trickery, etc.

☆ 13. Informal to revenge oneself on; get even with; punish or chastise

14. Informal to spay or castrate

15. Chem.

a) to make solid, permanent, or nonvolatile

b) to cause (atmospheric nitrogen) to combine with other elements or compounds to form nitrates, ammonia, etc.

16. Photog. to make (a film, print, etc.) permanent and prevent from fading by washing in a chemical solution

vi.

1. to become fixed, firm, or stable

2. [Informal or Dial.] to prepare or intend [I'm fixing to go hunting]

n.

1. the position of a ship or aircraft determined from the bearings of two or more known points, from astronomical observations, or from radio signals, etc.

☆ 2. Informal a difficult or awkward situation; predicament

3. Informal an adjustment, repair, improvement, etc. [a short-term fix ]

☆ 4. Slang

a) the act of fixing the outcome of a contest, situation, etc.

b) a contest, situation, etc. that has been fixed

5. Slang a clear understanding or evaluation [to get a fix on the problem]

6. Slang an injection of a narcotic, as heroin, by an addict

SYN.- PREDICAMENT

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fix on or fix upon

to choose; settle on fix (someone) up

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fix up or fix someone up Informal

to arrange a meeting or date for [she fixed him up with her sister]

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fix up Informal

1. to repair, mend, remedy, etc.

2. to arrange properly; set in order

3. to make arrangements for

fixable

adj.