back formation
/bæk fɔrˈmeɪʃən/
noun
- A word formed by removing a real or supposed affix from an existing word, often creating a shorter word (e.g., 'edit' from 'editor').
- Linguists study back-formation to understand how languages evolve.
- The word 'burgle' is a back-formation from 'burglar'.
- 'Babysit' is a back-formation from 'babysitter'.
- The process of creating such a word.
- The verb 'enthuse' came into use through back-formation from 'enthusiasm'.
- Back-formation is common in English when people assume a shorter verb exists.
- Many verbs in English are the result of back-formation from nouns.