back-for·ma·tion or back formation (b k fôr-m  sh n)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 pea from the earlier English plural pease. 2. The process of forming words in this way. See Note at baby-sit. |
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 in English were so created from editor and burglar
2. (Linguistics) a word formed by this process
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