'back-formation' definitions:
Definition of 'back-formation'
(from WordNet)
noun
A word invented (usually unwittingly by subtracting an affix) on the assumption that a familiar word derives from it
Definition of 'back-formation'
From: GCIDE
- back-formation \back"-for*ma`tion\ n. (Linguistics)
- 1. a word invented (usually unwittingly by subtracting an affix) on the assumption that a familiar word derives from it, such as emote from emotion. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
- 2. the process of inventing a back-formation[1]. [PJC]