back-formation

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Translations 1.3.4 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• backformation, back formation

[edit] Etymology

Coined by James Murray; back + formation

[edit] Noun

back-formation (plural back-formations)

1. (uncountable, linguistics) The process by which a new word is formed by removing a morpheme (real or perceived) of an older word, such as the verb burgle, formed by removing -ar (perceived as a suffix forming an agent noun) from burglar.
2. (countable) A word created in this way.

   Back-formations, such as "tambour" (for "play the tambourine"), are a staple of comedic wordplay.

[edit] Synonyms

• (a word created by back-formation): back-form

[edit] Derived terms

• back-form

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• Category:Back-formations
• Category:English back-formations