Where does “prefix” come from?

prefix (Dutch) comes from Latin praefixum, from Latin praefixus, from Latin praefigo, from Latin prae-, from Proto-Italic prai-, from Proto-Indo-European preh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.

prefix (Dutch): prefix; fixed, predetermined

Definitions

  1. prefix; fixed, predetermined

Ancestry of “prefix”, step by step

prefix traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Latin praefixum

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinpraefixumnominative neuter singular of praefīxus;...
2Latinpraefixusfastened or attached in front; prefixed
3LatinpraefigoI fasten before, attach in front; I point with
4Latinprae-before; in front; in charge
5Proto-Italicprai-pre-, before
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpreh₂-before, in front
7Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via French préfixe

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchpréfixeprefix; first-person singular present indicative...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tósEvery word from Proto-Indo-European per-Every word from Proto-Indo-European preh₂-