fixed-point
UK[ˈfɪkst pɔɪnt]US[ˈfɪkst pɔɪnt]
adj
(of a number or quantity) having a fixed, unchanging value.
n
a number or quantity that has a fixed, unchanging value.
n
(computing) a method of representing numbers where the decimal point is in a fixed position.
Morpheme Breakdown
fixed
point
fixed
immobile
point
location
Etymology
The compound term "fixed-point" is a modern technical construct built from two foundational English words of Latin origin. "Fixed" originates from the Latin verb figere, meaning to fasten or attach, which evolved through Old French into English to describe something made stable or permanent. "Point" derives from the Latin punctum, a noun denoting a precise spot or mark made by piercing. The logic of the compound is transparently literal: it describes a specific, unchanging location, whether in a mathematical space, a computational representation, or a conceptual argument. This directness makes it an effective term across scientific and technical disciplines, where precision is paramount.
Analysis
Structure: fixed (immobile) + point (location)
- fixed: From Latin figere (to fasten, fix). Functional role: Adjective-forming past participle, indicating a state of being secured or made immobile.
- point: From Latin punctum (a small hole, a dot, a point). Functional role: Noun, indicating a specific location, position, or detail.
Examples
The algorithm uses fixed-point arithmetic for greater speed and predictability.
In the negotiation, salary was the fixed point from which neither side would move.
The mathematician identified a fixed point where the function's output equals its input.