back formation


back-for·ma·tion

or back formation (băk′fôr-mā′shən)n.1. A new word created by removing an affix from an already existing word, as vacuum clean from vacuum cleaner, or by removing what is mistakenly thought to be an affix, as bicep from the English plural biceps.2. The process of forming words in this way.
back′-form′ (băk′fôrm′) v.back′-formed′ (băk′fôrmd′) adj.

back formation

n 1. (Linguistics) the invention of a new word on the assumption that a familiar word is derived from it. The verbs edit and burgle were so created from editor and burglar 2. (Linguistics) a word formed by this process

back′ forma`tion


n. 1. the analogical creation of one word from another word that appears to be a derived or inflected form of the first by dropping the apparent affix or by modification. 2. a word so formed, as typewrite from typewriter. [1885–90]
Translations
Rückbildung