What is a back-formation?

Defining back-formation

Back-formation is the process of simplifying a word by removing any unwanted elements. Unlike adding prefixes or suffixes, back-formation works in the opposite way—it trims down a word to create something new, resulting in a more concise and efficient word. This also creates multiple words that can be traced back to the original root word.

The process of back-formation

Back-formation is like stripping a word down to its basics. Here’s a quick rundown of the process:

• Affix removal. Back-formation involves taking off a part (affix) from a word.
• Creating new words. The leftover word becomes its own word with a new meaning.

Examples of back formation

Here are some examples of back-formation and their original root word:

• Babysit (from babysitter). When you babysit, you’re doing back-formation. Just drop the “-er” from “babysitter,” and you’ve got a new verb.
• Edit (from editor). Wondering where “edit” comes from? It’s a result of back-formation. Take away the “-or” from “editor,” and you create the word “edit.”
• Donate (from donation). Giving to charity? That’s back-formation. “Donate” is what you get when you remove “-ion” from “donation.”
• Burgle (from burglar). Ever heard of someone “burgling”? It’s a back-formation from “burglar” without the “-ar.”
• Befriend (from befriending). When you make a new pal, you’re befriending. Lose the “-ing” from “befriending,” and you’ve got the back-formed verb “befriend.”
• Invent (from invention). The verb “invent” is born through back-formation by removing the “-ion” from “invention.”
• Enthuse (from enthusiasm). Feeling excited? You might be enthused about it. This verb is a back-formation that’s formed by dropping the “-asm” from “enthusiasm.”
• Babyproof (from babyproofing). When you secure your home for a little one, you’re babyproofing. Drop the “-ing” from “babyproofing,” and you’ve got the back-formed verb.
• Diagnostic (from diagnose). Ever had a medical check-up? The doctor might diagnose. Here, “diagnostic” is the result of back-formation, minus the “-ose.”

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In each case, back-formation turns nouns or adjectives into verbs, giving us an efficient way to describe actions.

Back-formation vs abbreviation

It’s easy to confuse back-formation with abbreviation, but there are some key differences, including:

• Back-formation: In back-formation, a word is simplified by removing a part to create a new word with a distinct meaning. For example, “edit” from “editor.”
• Abbreviation: In abbreviation, a word is shortened, usually by truncating some of its letters. Unlike back-formation, the shortened form typically retains the original word’s meaning. For instance, “TV” for “television” or “ASAP” for “as soon as possible.”

Understanding this difference helps us appreciate the varied ways language evolves, whether through stripping down words or simply shortening them.

In a nutshell, back-formation shows us how language adapts. The next time you come across a word that seems a bit odd, remember that it might be a result of back-formation. In addition, try incorporating these words into your writing for clarity and conciseness.