back formation etymology

Etymology

The word "backformation" is derived from two English words:

• "back" (meaning "to create something by reversing an existing form")
• "formation" (meaning "the process of creating or developing something")

Meaning

Backformation is a word formation process in which a new word is created by removing a perceived affix from an existing word. The resulting word may be semantically related to the original but is not etymologically derived from it.

Origin

The earliest known use of the term "backformation" dates back to the early 19th century. It was first used in the context of linguistic analysis to describe the process of how certain words were derived from existing forms. For example, the word "edit" was backformed from the word "editor."

Examples

Here are some common examples of backformations:

• Cater (backformed from "caterer")
• Laund (backformed from "launder")
• Enthuse (backformed from "enthusiasm")
• Burgle (backformed from "burglar")
• Nibble (backformed from "nibblet")

Importance

Backformation is an important process in word formation because it allows for the creation of new words that are not always possible through other means. It also helps to simplify the language by making words more concise and easier to remember.

back formation relate terms

• back

  Etymology The word back is derived from the Old English word bæc which meant back

• back

  Etymology The word back is derived from the Old English word bæc which meant back

• aback

  Etymology The word aback is derived from the Middle English word abac which means

• formation

  Etymology From Middle English formacioun from Old French formacion from Latin fo

• form

  Etymology The word form originates from the Latin word forma which means shape or

• hind

  Etymology The word hind has multiple etymologies Old English hind noun and hin

• hype

  Etymology First attested in English in the 1890s Shortened form of hyperbole which

• hawk

  Etymology The word hawk comes from the Middle English word hauk which is ultimately

• refuse

  Etymology Old French refus refuser Latin refutare to refute reject oppose Proto

• replicate

  Etymology Latin replicare meaning to fold back or over Proto Indo European kʷrep

• reciprocate

  Etymology The word reciprocate comes from the Latin word reciprocus which means mov

• spokesman

  Etymology and Origin of Spokesman The word spokesman derives from two Old English words

• word

  Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their development through history It in

• belong

  Etymology Old English belangen to concern belong to Proto Germanic bilanganą to

• inspire

  Etymology From Middle English insipyre from Anglo Norman French inspirer from Latin i