back-formation

back-for ma tion |ˈˌbæk ˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən | ▶noun a word that is formed from an already existing word from which it appears to be a derivative, often by removal of a suffix (e.g., laze from lazy and edit from editor ). • the process by which such words are formed.

back-formation

back-formation ▶noun a word that is formed from an existing word which looks as though it is a derivative, typically by removal of a suffix (e.g. edit from editor ). • [ mass noun ] the linguistic process by which back-formations develop.