See also FIXES. [f. the vb.; the senses have no mutual connection.]
1. (orig. U.S.) A position from which it is difficult to escape a ‘tight place’; a difficulty, dilemma, predicament.
1839. Marryat, Diary Amer., Ser. I. II. 166. The Americans are never at a loss when they are in a fix.
1842. Barham, Ingol. Leg., St. Medard.
| Little he deem’d—that holy man!— | |
| Of Old Nick’s wiles, and his fraudful tricks,— | |
| When he was aware Of a Stranger there, | |
| Who seem’d to have got himself into a fix. |
1854. E. Forbes, Let., in Wilson and Geikie, Life, xiv. 532. The Scottish authorities have run me into a fix, by saying that whoever is appointed will be obliged to take immediate duty.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, vii. 101. And is this the fix you wish me to help you out of?
2. The material used for lining a puddling-furnace; fettling.
1871. Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Eng., I. 327. In puddling 30 per cent. less ‘fix’ was required.
1881. Raymond, Mining Gloss., Fix. To fettle or line with a fix or fettling, consisting of ores, scrap and cinder, or other suitable substances, the hearth of a puddling furnace.
