dark-haired

The word is a straightforward English compound adjective formed by combining two native elements. The first element, "dark," originates from the Old English deorc, which described a lack of light and, by extension, deep, non-reflective colors. The second element, "haired," derives from Old English hǣr (a single hair or the collective hair) combined with the adjectival suffix -ed, which denotes possession or characteristics. The compound logic is transparent: "dark-haired" literally means "possessing hair that is dark in color," a descriptive term that emerged naturally in English to denote a common physical trait.

Structure: dark (color) + haired (having hair) - dark: From Old English deorc, of Germanic origin, meaning "absence of light; gloomy." In this compound, it functions as an adjective describing the color. - haired: From Old English hǣr (hair) + the suffix -ed, meaning "having (a specified type of) hair." It functions as an adjective-forming suffix.