ABSTRACT
In word formation, a term denoting the process and result, by means of which an originally older and more complex expression gives rise to the formation of a new stem. The original expression is then analyzed synchronically as a derivation on the basis of the new stem and a productive suffix, e.g. edit<editor, stage-manage<stagemanager or spoonfeed< spoonfed. Nominal back formations derived from verbs (e.g. walk<(to) walk) are termed ‘nomina post verbalia’ by historical grammarians. Grammatical back formations occur when singular forms are derived from original plural forms, e.g. pea<peas.
