[ad. assumed L. *fīxitātem, f. fīxus: see FIX a. and -ITY. Cf. Fr. fixité.] The quality or condition of being fixed.
1. Originally spec. in Physics: The property of enduring heat without volatilization or loss of weight.
1666. Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual., 282. So much do the Fixity [Wks., 1772, III. 78, fixidity] and Volatility of Bodies depend upon Texture.
1757. Walker, in Phil. Trans., L. 129. This cremor was found to have a great degree of fixity, bering a considerable heat without avolation.
1811. Pinkerton, Petral., II. 220. Tartarin, notwithstanding its fixity, is also found in soot; and in the same manner may be elevated in putrid exhalations.
1826. Faraday, Exp. Res., xxxii. 205. There are at least two causes, each of which is sufficient to overcome and destroy vapour when reduced to a certain tension; and both of which are acting effectually with numerous substances upon the surface of the earth, and retaining them in a state of perfect fixity.
2. gen. The condition of not being liable to displacement or change; stability or permanence in situation, condition, or form.
1791. Hamilton, Berthollet’s Dyeing, I. I. I. ii. 40. The oxyd of tin in particular, increases the brightness and fixity of several [colours].
1807. W. Taylor, in Ann. Rev., V. 575/1. The translation of the bible, by the bishops of James the first, gave fixity to the tongue of the new religion.
1858. Froude, Hist. Eng., III. xvii. 525. He [Cromwell] supported his weakness by a determination which imitated the unbending fixity of a law of nature.
1877. C. O’Neill, in Encycl. Brit. (ed. 9), VII. 579/1. The aniline purples, violets, and mauves do not dye upon cotton without previous mordanting, and even then are so loose and unstable that they are only fitted for use where great fixity is not demanded, as for linings of clothing, &c.
1885. Chitty, in Law Times Rep., LII. 690/1. An irresolution and want of fixity of purpose on the part of the person whose domicile was in contest.
b. Fixity of tenure: the condition of having a fixed, permanent tenure.
1843. Morning Chronicle, 4 Jan., in Miss M. Hennell, Social Syst. (1843), 82, note. At the present time a portion of the Irish press is engaged in discussing the expediency of giving fixity of tenure to the tillers of the soil in Ireland.
c. concr. Something fixed.
1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit., I. 296. Fancy, on the contrary, has no other counters to play with, but fixities and definites.
