fixative
Artist's protective coating
A fixative is a substance that stabilizes or preserves something.
In art, fixative is a spray applied to drawings in charcoal or pastel to prevent smudging.
In perfumery, a fixative slows the evaporation of volatile scents.
In biology, fixatives like formaldehyde preserve tissue samples.
The word always implies holding something in place that would otherwise change or deteriorate.
Liquid that dries glossy
- sealantGap-blocking substance
- charcoalBurned wood residue
- pastelPale, gentle shade
- pencilGraphite writing instrument
graphite · chalk · pigment · medium · binder · finish · matte · gloss
Perfume's final, lasting accords
- muskAnimal-derived fragrance base
- ambergrisWhale-produced perfume fixative
- benzoinAromatic plant resin
- orrisIris grown for aromatic root
sandalwood · cedarwood · vetiver · oakmoss · frankincense · myrrh · resin · balsam
Colorless pungent preservative gas
- embalmingPreserving dead bodies chemically
- specimenIndividual for examination
- taxidermyPreserving animal skins lifelike
- histologyStudy of tissue structure
tissue · mounting · slides · microscopy · paraffin · formalin · ethanol · acetone
Substance promoting adhesion
- binderDevice securing loose pages
- cementCalcium powder binding agent
- gum arabicNatural tree-sap emulsifier
- adhesiveMaterial that bonds objects
mounting · laminating · encaustic · sizing · primer · substrate · permanence · tacky
varnish
Liquid that dries glossy
pencil · graphite · chalk · pigment · medium · binder · finish · matte · gloss · archival
base notes
Perfume's final, lasting accords
- muskAnimal-derived fragrance base
- ambergrisWhale-produced perfume fixative
- benzoinAromatic plant resin
orris · sandalwood · cedarwood · vetiver · oakmoss · frankincense · myrrh · resin · balsam · civet
formaldehyde
Colorless pungent preservative gas
- embalmingPreserving dead bodies chemically
- specimenIndividual for examination
- taxidermyPreserving animal skins lifelike
histology · tissue · mounting · slides · microscopy · paraffin · formalin · ethanol · acetone · dehydration
bonding agent
Substance promoting adhesion
- binderDevice securing loose pages
- cementCalcium powder binding agent
- gum arabicNatural tree-sap emulsifier
adhesive · mounting · laminating · encaustic · sizing · primer · substrate · permanence · tacky
- art suppliesbrush, paints, pencil, easel, eraser
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, acids, reagents, solutions
- fragrancesperfume, cologne, aftershave, essential oils, floral
- Perfumeperfume, top note, top notes, base notes, eau de parfum
- art studioeasel, easels, canvas, canvases, palette
- drawing suppliespencil, eraser, charcoal, graphite, chalk
fixativelubricant
Friction-reducing substance
loosener · mobilizer · dispersant · softener
- oral fixationPsychological attachment to mouth activities
- mother fixation
- nitrogen fixationConverting inert gas to ammonia