English for Today
WORD FORMATION PROCESSES
5. CLIPPING: It refers to the shortening of a polysyllabic word to a one or two-syllable word. The reduced form usually has the same meaning as the complex word which it represents. The reduction or deletion can be at the beginning, the end or at both positions of the word.
Deletion at the beginning
1. bus- omnibus...
2. phone- telephone
3. van- caravan
Deletion at the end
4. cab- cabriolet
5. bra- brassiere
6. exam- examination
Deletion at both ends
7. fridge- refrigerator
8. flu- influenza