brand-new

the term 'brand-new' originated in the 16th century, drawing from the literal image of a metal object fresh from the forge, still hot from the 'brand' or fire. 'Brand' derives from old english 'brand' or 'brond', meaning 'fire' or 'burning piece of wood', which is related to the act of branding with a hot iron. 'New' comes from old english 'nīwe', 'nēowe', meaning 'recently made or come into being'. the compound thus originally meant 'fresh from the fire', emphasizing pristine, unused condition, a sense that has persisted while the literal connection to fire has faded.

Structure: brand (mark) + new (recently made) brand (old english, meaning 'fire, burning'); new (old english, meaning 'recent, fresh').