Back-formation

Alternative forms

• backformation, back formation

Origin

Coined by James Murray (lexicographer); back + formation

Full definition of back-formation

Noun

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.

Synonyms

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

Derived terms

• back-form