Backform
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Backform is a noun meaning Alternative form of back-form (“a back-formation”).
Meaning
Alternative form of back-form (“a back-formation”).
More Meanings
- Alternative form of back-form.
Example Sentences
What's improper about it? backforms are shorter than their sources. When is misanalyzed as , the backform results.
Thus, donate [1845] was backformed from donation [c.1425] to serve as a putative base from which the latter could be derived.
Those who deny the synchronic relevance of backformation would hold that backforming x from y is simply the folk-etymological assumption that x is the derivational source of y.
Whatever happened to gnarl? Don't tell me - he's over at PFFA, isn't he? Anyway: those backforms are always a bit hit-or-miss, it's true, but 'to gnarl' *has* achieved verb status.
Word Forms
- backforms
- backforming
- backformed
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include re-written, feed-forward, fore-order, log-on, fore-answer, premould.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.