big-eared

The compound adjective 'big-eared' is a transparent descriptive formation from two native English elements. The first element, 'big', is a common adjective of size whose precise origins are obscure but likely entered Middle English from Old Norse. The second element, '-eared', is derived from the Old English noun 'ēare' (ear) combined with the suffix '-ed', which was used to form adjectives meaning 'having or provided with'. This pattern of creating descriptive compounds (adjective + noun+-ed) is a productive feature of English, seen in words like 'blue-eyed' or 'long-legged'. The literal meaning, 'having big ears', is directly maintained in modern usage, typically describing physical appearance in humans or animals.

Structure: big (large) + eared (having ears) - big: From Middle English bigge, of uncertain origin, possibly from a Scandinavian source. Functional role: Adjective root meaning 'large in size'. - eared: From Middle English ered, from Old English ēarede ('having ears'), from ēare ('ear') + the adjectival suffix -ede (-ed). Functional role: Adjective-forming suffix indicating possession of a specified feature.