fixative (fixa|tive)

noun

• 1a chemical substance used to preserve or stabilize biological material prior to microscopy or other examination: an alcoholic fixative [mass noun]: ten double drops of fixative
• a substance used to stabilize the volatile components of perfume: sandalwood is regarded by many perfumers as a good fixative
• a liquid sprayed on to a pastel or charcoal drawing to fix colours or prevent smudging: he sprayed his design with fixative

• 2a substance used to keep things in position or stick them together: the swift glues these thin twigs to a wall using its own saliva as a fixative

adjective

• (of a substance) used to fix or stabilize something.