What is an infix?

Definition
	An infix is an affix that is inserted within a root. or stem.

Example: Philippines (Tagalog)
	The focus marker -um- is a infix which is added after the first consonant of the root.
	bili: root ‘buy’ -um-: infix ‘AGT’ bumili: word ‘bought’

Example (Chickasaw)
	In verb roots, a glottal stop is inserted to form a negative.

Example (English)
	bloomin of abso-bloomin-lutely

Generic
	An infix is a kind of
	What is an affix? (Linguistics)

See also
	What is infixation?

Sources
	Crystal 1980 184
	Hartmann and Stork 1972 111
	Anderson, S. 1985 166

Context for this page:

Concept module: infix
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): I
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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