blue-eyed

The compound adjective 'blue-eyed' is a transparent formation from two native English elements. 'Blue' traces back to the Proto-Germanic blēwaz, which described a range of pale or livid colors. 'Eyed' derives from the Old English noun for 'eye', combined with the adjectival suffix '-ed', a productive pattern for creating descriptive terms like 'kind-hearted'. Literally meaning 'having blue eyes', the term's figurative sense of being a favorite or darling likely stems from the cultural association of blue eyes with innocence, attractiveness, or special status, leading to its informal application to a favored person.

Structure: blue (color) + eyed (having eyes) - blue: From Old English 'blāw', of Germanic origin, related to Old High German 'blāo'. Functions as an adjective describing a color. - eyed: From Old English 'ēage' (eye) + the suffix '-ed', of Germanic origin. The suffix '-ed' forms adjectives meaning 'having' or 'characterized by'.