blinding

the word 'blinding' is a transparent english formation from the native germanic root 'blind'. the old english adjective 'blind' has cognates across germanic languages, all stemming from the proto-germanic blindaz, whose own origin is uncertain but may be connected to a root meaning 'to mix, become cloudy', relating to obscured vision. the addition of the productive suffix '-ing' creates a participial adjective, literally meaning 'acting like or causing blindness'. over time, the meaning extended metaphorically from the literal effect of intense light to describe anything of overpowering intensity, such as a 'blinding flash' or 'blinding pain', capturing the sense of being overwhelmed as if one's senses were disabled.

Structure: blind (sightless) + ing (adjective/noun suffix) 'blind' is from old english 'blind', meaning 'sightless, unable to see'. '-ing' is an old english suffix used to form present participles, verbal nouns, and adjectives.