a. and sb. [f. FIX v. + -ATIVE. Cf. Fr. fixatif.]
A. adj. Tending to fix.
1644. Nye, Gunnery, II. (1647), 29. It is very probable, for Opium is of a congealing and fixative nature.
a. 1832. Bentham, Wks. (1843), VIII. 30. But for these fixed and fixative signs, nothing that ever bore the name of art or science could ever have come into existence.
1870. Eng. Mech., X. 25 Feb., 576/1. One of the great uses of this fixative process is supposed to be the preserving of the paper and colour of water colour or others drawings from decay.
B. sb. That which serves to set or fix; spec. a preparation used to fix colours, or charcoal or crayon drawings.
1870. Eng. Mech., X. 11 March, 638/3. There are some papers which absorb the fixative with difficulty.
