What does the term affix mean?

The term "affix" refers to a linguistic element that is attached to a base or stem word to modify its meaning or function. This includes prefixes, which are added to the beginning of a word, and suffixes, which are added to the end. By attaching an affix to a stem word, a new word is often formed, which can alter the original word's grammatical category, tense, or meaning. This process is fundamental in language as it allows for a rich formation of vocabulary and conveys different nuances of meaning. Therefore, the definition effectively captures the role of affixes in word formation and modification.