Derivation: the process of forming new words by adding affixes.
we have not dealt with what is by far the most common word-formation process to be found in the production of new words.
This process is called derivation and it is accomplished by means of a large number of small “bits” of the English language that are not usually given separate listings in dictionaries.
These small “bits” are generally described as affixes: a bound morpheme such as un- or -ed added to a word.
Ex: un-, mis-, pre-, -ful, -less, -ish, -ism and -ness which appear in words like unhappy, misrepresent, prejudge, joyful, careless, boyish, terrorism and sadness.
Prefix: a bound morpheme added to the beginning of a word.
Looking more closely at the preceding group of words, we can see that some affixes are added to the beginning of the word (e.g. un-, mis-). These are called prefixes.
Suffix: a bound morpheme added to the end of a word.
Other affixes re added to the end of the word (e.g. -less, -ish) and are called suffixes.
All English words formed by this derivational process have either prefixes or suffixes, or both. Thus, mislead has a prefix, disrespectful has both a prefix and a suffix, and foolishness has two suffixes.
Infix: a morpheme that is inserted in the middle of a word.
There is a third type of affix, not normally used in English, but found in some other languages. This is called an infix.
It is possible to see the general principle at work in certain expressions, occasionally used in fortuitous or aggravating circumstances by emotionally aroused English speakers.
Hallebloodylujah!, Absogoddamlutely! and Unfuckinbelievable!. We could view these “inserted” forms as a special version of infixing in English.