back-formation

back-for·ma·tion

B b

Definitions of back-formation word

noun back-formation 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. 1
noun back-formation a word so formed, as typewrite from typewriter. 1
noun back-formation (Uncountable Noun) (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. 0
noun back-formation (Countable Noun) A word created in this way. 0

before 1885

One of the 21% newest English words

First recorded in 1885-90

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 5% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.

According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

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