Associations to the word «Fixative»

Wiktionary

FIXATIVE, noun. A substance that fixes, protects, or preserves.
FIXATIVE, adjective. Serving to fix or bind.

Dictionary definition

FIXATIVE, noun. A compound (such as ethanol or formaldehyde) that fixes tissues and cells for microscopic study.
FIXATIVE, noun. A varnish dissolved in alcohol and sprayed over pictures to prevent smudging.

Wise words

A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged; it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and time in which it is used.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.