fix: Meaning and Definition of

fix

Pronunciation: (fiks), [key]
— v., n. fixed fixt, fix•ing,
—v.t.
  1. to repair; mend.
  2. to put in order or in good condition; adjust or arrrange: She fixed her hair in a bun.
  3. to make fast, firm, or stable.
  4. to place definitely and more or less permanently: to fix a circus poster to a wall.
  5. to settle definitely; determine: to fix a price.
  6. to direct (the eyes, the attention, etc.) steadily: His eyes were fixed on the distant ship.
  7. to attract and hold (the eye, the attention, etc.).
  8. to make set or rigid.
  9. to put into permanent form.
  10. to put or place (responsibility, blame, etc.) on a person.
  11. to assign or refer to a definite place, time, etc.
  12. to provide or supply with (something needed or wanted): How are you fixed for money?
  13. to arrange or influence the outcome or action of, esp. privately or dishonestly: to fix a jury; to fix a game.
  14. to get (a meal); prepare (food): What time shall I fix supper?
  15. to put in a condition or position to make no further trouble.
  16. to get even with; get revenge upon: I'll fix him!
  17. to castrate or spay (an animal, esp. a pet).
    1. to make stable in consistency or condition; reduce from fluidity or volatility to a more stable state.
    2. to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a useful compound, as a nitrate fertilizer.
  18. to render (an image) permanent by removing light-sensitive silver halides.
  19. to kill, make rigid, and preserve for microscopic study.
—v.i.
  1. to become fixed.
  2. to become set; assume a rigid or solid form.
  3. to become stable or permanent.
  4. to settle down.
  5. to inject oneself with a narcotic.
  6. to prepare; plan (usually fol. by an infinitive): I was just fixing to call you. We're fixing to go to Colorado this summer.
  7. to decide on; determine: We won't be able to fix on a location for the banquet until we know the number of guests.
  8. to exact retribution for an offense; treat someone vengefully: I'll dock his pay and that will fix his wagon.
  9. to fix up a date.
    1. to arrange for:to fix up a date.
    2. to provide with; furnish.
    3. to repair; renew.
    4. to smooth over; solve:They weren't able to fix up their differences.
—n.
  1. a position from which it is difficult to escape; predicament.
  2. a repair, adjustment, or solution, usually of an immediate nature: Can you think of a fix for the problem?
  3. The navigator took a fix on the sun and steered the ship due north.
    1. a charted position of a vessel or aircraft, determined by two or more bearings taken on landmarks, heavenly bod-ies, etc.
    2. the determining of the position of a ship, plane, etc., by mathematical, electronic, or other means:The navigator took a fix on the sun and steered the ship due north.
  4. a clear determination: Can you get a fix on what he really means?
  5. to need one's daily fix of soap operas on TV.
    1. an injection of heroin or other narcotic.
    2. the narcotic or amount of narcotic injected.
    3. a compulsively sought dose or infusion of something:to need one's daily fix of soap operas on TV.
    1. an underhand or illegal arrangement, esp. one secured through bribery or influence.
    2. a contest, situation, etc., whose outcome is prearranged dishonestly.
  6. pregnant.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • fix (Thesaurus)