What is the term for an affix attached to the beginning of a word?

The term for an affix attached to the beginning of a word is "prefix." A prefix is a group of letters added at the start of a word to modify its meaning. For example, in the word "unhappy," the prefix "un-" alters the meaning to indicate the opposite of "happy." The function of prefixes is to create new words or provide context to the original term.

In contrast, a suffix is an affix added at the end of a word; an infix is inserted within a word, and a root is the fundamental part of a word that carries its core meaning. Therefore, understanding these distinctions is key when analyzing word structure in language.