What is the process of back-formation?

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What is the process of back-formation?

Back-formation is a process in word formation where a new word is created by removing what appears to be an affix from an existing word. This process typically occurs when speakers mistakenly analyze a word as having a derivational affix, when in fact it does not. As a result, they create a new word by removing the perceived affix. This process is called back-formation because it involves forming a new word by working backward from an existing word.

For example, the noun "editor" was back-formed from the noun "editorial." Speakers mistakenly assumed that "editorial" was derived from "editor" and created the verb "edit" by removing the perceived suffix "-ial." Similarly, the noun "television" was back-formed from the noun "television" by removing the perceived suffix "-ion" to create the verb "televise."

Back-formation is a common process in language evolution and has contributed to the creation of numerous words in English. It allows speakers to create new words based on existing ones, often to fill lexical gaps or to express new concepts.