fixityn.
/ˈfɪksᵻti/, U.S. /ˈfɪksᵻdi/ The quality or condition of being fixed.
1. Originally spec. in Physics: The property of enduring heat without volatilization or loss of weight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > quality of being incombustible > [noun]
fixation1626
incombustibleness1653
fixedness1665
fixity1666
incombustibilitya1691
fixidity1762
uninflammability1826
1666 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities 282 So much do the Fixity [ Wks. 1772 III. 78 fixidity] and Volatility of Bodies depend upon Texture.
1758 J. Walker in Philos. Trans. 1757 (Royal Soc.) 50 129 This cremor was found to have a great degree of fixity.
1811 J. Pinkerton Petralogy II. 220 Tartarin, notwithstanding its fixity, is..found in soot.
1826 M. Faraday Exper. Res. xxxii. 205 Retaining them in a state of perfect fixity.
2.
a. gen. The condition of not being liable to displacement or change; stability or permanence in situation, condition, or form.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > stability, fixity > [noun]
stablenessa1300
tack1412
steadfastnessc1450
surenessc1450
stability1470
radicationa1500
constance1509
steadiness1530
certitudea1533
firmance1533
staidness1556
establishment1561
settledness1571
settling1582
state1597
groundedness1601
inviscerationa1631
setness1642
unmalleableness1644
fixedness1647
poise1649
inveteracy1716
well-foundedness1735
fixity1791
unmalleability1828
deep-rootedness1860
instatement1877
steady state1885
hard and fastness1897
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > [noun] > permanent state or condition
stay1536
fixedness1647
fixity1791
stability1855
stationarity1901
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [noun]
steadfastnessa1000
anrednessOE
stead-stathelfastness?c1225
stability13..
steadfastshipc1320
traistnessa1340
constance1340
sadnessc1384
unmovablenessc1384
hardnessa1400
steadfastheadc1400
unmobletya1425
firmitya1450
constancy1526
constantness1530
firmitude?1541
firmness1553
stoutness1561
settledness1571
cleaving1580
solidity1607
immovableness1617
staunchness1623
fixedness1626
fixationa1631
unswayednessa1656
steadiness1663
sturdiness1675
unbendingness1824
indomitability1851
indomitableness1860
thick and thin1884
fixity1885
unshakability1907
1791 W. Hamilton tr. C.-L. Berthollet Elements Art of Dyeing I. i. i. ii. 40 The oxyd of tin..increases the brightness and fixity of several [colours].
1807 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 5 575 The translation of the Bible..gave fixity to the tongue of the new religion.
1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) III. xvii. 525 The unbending fixity of a law of nature.
1877 C. O'Neill in Encycl. Brit. VII. 579/1 The aniline purples..are only fitted for use where great fixity is not demanded.
1885 Chitty in Law Times Rep. 52 690/1 Irresolution and want of fixity of purpose.
b. fixity of tenure n. the condition of having a fixed, permanent tenure.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > [noun] > condition of having permanent tenure
fixity of tenure1844
1844 M. Hennell Social Syst. 82 The expediency of giving fixity of tenure to the tillers of the soil in Ireland.
c. concrete. Something fixed.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > [noun] > a certainty, fact
soothc1374
certain1377
surety?a1475
probatum1594
experient1605
certaintya1616
factum1641
matter of breviary1694
definite1726
fixity1817
a settled thing (or matter)1819
monty1894
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biographia Literaria I. 296 Fancy, on the contrary, has no other counters to play with, but fixities and definites.
d. Fixedness (of look).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > [noun] > steadiness of gaze
fixture1850
fixity1895
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > a look or glance > [noun] > stare or gaze > fixedness of look
steadfastness1567
fixture1850
fixation1889
fixity1895
1895 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 519 Dark, restless eyes, that could..fasten upon one with a disagreeable fixity.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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