back-formation
The process by which a new word is formed from an older word by interpreting the…The process by which a new word is formed from an older word by interpreting the former as a derivative of the latter, often by removing a morpheme (real or perceived) from the older word, such as the verb burgle, formed by removing -ar (perceived as an agent-noun suffix) from burglar.
Meaning
2 senses(uncountable)The process by which a new word is formed from an older word by interpreting the former as a derivative of the latter, often by removing a morpheme (real or perceived) from the older word, such as the verb burgle, formed by removing -ar (perceived as an agent-noun suffix) from burglar.
Rückbildung, Rückbildung
обра̀тное словообразова́ниеobràtnoje slovoobrazovánije
(countable)A word created in this way.
Back-formations, such as tambour (for “play the tambourine”), are a staple of comedic wordplay.
- a word invented (usually unwittingly by subtracting an affix) on the assumption that a familiar word derives from it
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From back- + formation. Coined by British lexicographer and philologist, primary editor ofFrom back- + formation. Coined by British lexicographer and philologist, primary editor of the Oxford English Dictionary James Murray in 1888.
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Forms
plural: back-formationsSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
3 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable