Definitions for back formation
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Random House Webster's College Dictionary
back′ forma`tion(n.)
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.
Category: Language/Linguistics
a word so formed, as typewrite from typewriter.
Category: Language/Linguistics
Origin of back formation:
1885–90
Citation
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