doe-eyed
UK[ˈdəʊ ˌaɪd]US[ˈdoʊ ˌaɪd]
adj
Having large, soft, innocent-looking eyes, like those of a doe (a female deer).
Morpheme Breakdown
doe
eyed
doe
female deer
eyed
having eyes
Etymology
The compound "doe-eyed" is a relatively modern formation, drawing on the long-standing symbolic association of deer with gentleness and innocence in Western culture. The first element, "doe," specifically refers to the female of the deer species, an animal often portrayed in folklore and literature as timid, graceful, and possessing large, liquid-brown eyes that suggest vulnerability. The second element, "-eyed," is a productive English suffix used to form adjectives describing the nature or appearance of one's eyes. Thus, the term's logic is transparently metaphorical: it directly compares a person's wide, soft, and innocent gaze to the characteristic eyes of a doe, evoking an impression of naivety, wonder, or appealing gentleness.
Analysis
Structure: doe (female deer) + eyed (having eyes)
doe: From Middle English do, from Old English dā (female deer), of Germanic origin.
eyed: From Middle English eyed, from Old English ēaged (having eyes), from ēage (eye) + the suffix -ed (having, provided with).
Examples
The actress played the role with a doe-eyed innocence that captivated the audience.
He was disarmed by her doe-eyed expression of sincere apology.
Photographers often ask models to look slightly upward to achieve a doe-eyed effect.