Prefix

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A prefix is the intergal portion of an object (a word or term [typically in text or speech]) with a distinct and reused meaning that modifies the meaning of the whole object.

In the true context of language, the word prefix itself is made up of the base fix (meaning "attach" in this case), and the prefix pre-, meaning "before." To prefix is to attach before, for example, Unfair has a prefix: "Un." Specific types of prefixes include:

• In linguistics, a type of affix that precedes the morphemes, hence modifying the base semantics for a word.
• Numerical prefix, used for magnitudes of SI units, like 'kilo' and 'milli' in 'kilometre' and 'milligram.' See also SI prefix.
• Polish notation, a method of mathematical expression, also known as prefix notation
• Telephone prefix, the first set of digits in a telephone number not a country code or area code
• Network address prefix, the initial part of a network address, used in address delegation and routing
• ITU prefix, a call sign for radio and television stations
• Prefix (computer science), a prefix of a string.
• Prefix code