fix·a·tive

(fĭk′sə-tĭv)

Something that fixes, protects, or preserves, especially:

a. A liquid preservative applied to artwork, such as watercolor paintings or charcoal drawings.

b. A solution used to preserve and harden fresh tissue for microscopic examination.

c. A liquid mixed with perfume to prevent rapid evaporation.

fix′a·tive adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

fixative

(ˈfɪksətɪv)

adj

serving or tending to fix

1. (Art Terms) a fluid usually consisting of a transparent resin, such as shellac, dissolved in alcohol and sprayed over drawings to prevent smudging

2. (Biology) cytology a fluid, such as formaldehyde or ethanol, that fixes tissues and cells for microscopic study

3. (Chemistry) a substance added to a liquid, such as a perfume, to make it less volatile

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

fix•a•tive

(ˈfɪk sə tɪv)

adj.

1. serving to fix; making fixed or permanent.

2. a fixative substance, as a spray that prevents blurring on a drawing or a solution that preserves microscopic specimens.

3. a chemical substance, as sodium thiosulfate, used in photography to promote fixation.

Also, fix•a•tif (ˈfɪk sə tɪv, -ˌtif)

[1635–45]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	fixative - a compound (such as ethanol or formaldehyde) that fixes tissues and cells for microscopic study fixing agent, fixer - a chemical compound that sets or fixes something (as a dye or a photographic image)
	2.	fixative - a varnish dissolved in alcohol and sprayed over pictures to prevent smudging varnish - a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface

Translations

fissativo

fixative

[ˈfɪksətɪv] N → fijador m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

fixative

[ˈfɪksətɪv] n → fixatif m

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

fixative

n → Fixativ nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

fixative

[ˈfɪksətɪv] n → fissativo

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

fix·a·tive

n. fijador, sustancia usada para endurecer muestras de exámenes patológicos.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

The duration of fixation, that is, the length of time a specimen is immersed in a fixative, has been a topic of great interest in the scientific community owing in part to conflicting results and recommended thresholds.

Effects of preanalytical variables on the detection of proteins by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue

They added the finishing touches--strong highlights and sharp accent lines--before spraying with fixative. (Be sure to use good ventilation when spraying, or do it outside.)

Magnificent motorcycles

Staining of Tissues with Dye Extracts of Pterocarpus osun: Choice of a Fixative

Tincion de tejidos con extractos de Pterocarpus osun: opcion de un fijador

With the recent acquisition of Cytec's POLYFLEX[R] micropolymer retention aid product line and distribution rights for Cytec's other retention, drainage and fixative paper chemicals, our expanded paper chemicals range includes products and services for manufacturing high performance printing & writing papers, paperboard & packaging, tissue & toweling and mill water management programs.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals

The benchtop kit brings together three of AkzoNobel's landmark innovations in naturally-derived polymer technology: Biostyle CGP fixative polymer, Amaze XT styling polymer and Structure Style polymer.

Akzonobel's Sustainable Solutions for Styling

A scalpel or single-edged blade (clean and not exposed to fixative) is used to section pieces containing glomeruli.

The renal biopsy

A light spray of fixative helped protect the pieces when we were done.

Shed some light on figure drawing

In a continuation of the trend toward sustainable materials, hydroxypropyl starch has been shown to be an effective fixative for temporary styling of hair even in a high humidity environment (9), (10) especially if nonionic or anionic fixative resins, such as PVP/VA copolymer, or chitosan, are included in the formulation.

Recent patent applications for the use of polymers for hair care

But the real emphasis of this book is in developing an understanding of how the body moves and the many media and techniques for rendering the human form: chalks, charcoal, pastel, fixative, watercolors and oil paints.

The Beginner's Guide: Human Anatomy--An Artist's Step-by-Step Guide to Techniques and Materials

To meet these requirements, formulators must move beyond the traditional portfolio of synthetic polymers that have long been employed as the hair fixative ingredients in gels, mousses and styling aids.

Unique styling products via Maltodextrin/VP: a clear hair styling polymer with a naturally derived and renewable profile compared to market-leading synthetic nonionic styling polymers

According to Honeywell, third-party studies have shown that NFF 11 performs equally as well as synthetic polymers in hair fixative applications.

Honeywell film-former certified by Natural Products Association