fixed-income
UK[ˌfɪkst ˈɪŋkʌm]US[ˌfɪkst ˈɪŋkəm]
adj
relating to or being an investment that provides a regular, predetermined return, such as a bond
n
investments that provide a fixed rate of return, considered as a class
Morpheme Breakdown
fixed
income
fixed
adjective
income
noun
Etymology
The term 'fixed-income' is a modern financial compound built from two foundational English words. 'Fixed' originates from the Latin figere, meaning to fasten or make firm, which evolved through French into English with the sense of something settled and unchanging. 'Income' has Germanic roots, coming from the Old English concept of what 'comes in' as monetary gain. The compound logic is transparent: it describes a financial instrument where the payment stream ('income') is attached or 'fixed' to a predetermined schedule and amount, contrasting with variable returns from assets like stocks. This term emerged in the 20th century to categorize bonds and similar securities within investment portfolios.
Analysis
Structure: fixed (adjective) + income (noun)
- fixed: From Latin figere (to fasten, fix). In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning 'set, unchanging, or predetermined'.
- income: From Old English incuman (to come in), from in- (in) + cuman (to come). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning 'money received, especially on a regular basis'.
Examples
She prefers the security of fixed-income investments like government bonds.
The fixed-income market experienced volatility due to changing interest rates.
His portfolio is balanced between equities and fixed-income securities.