dog-eared

The term 'dog-eared' is a vivid metaphorical compound from Early Modern English, drawing a direct visual comparison between the floppy, folded-down corner of a well-used book page and the drooping ear of certain dog breeds. The word 'dog' itself has a complex Germanic origin, possibly from a late Old English term docga, while 'eared' derives from the Old English noun ēare (ear). The compound logic is purely descriptive, relying on a shared cultural image rather than a deep etymological lineage. It exemplifies how English creates expressive adjectives by combining concrete nouns with body-part descriptors to capture a specific, worn physical state.

Structure: dog + eared dog: (English, from Old English docga) - The animal, used here in a metaphorical compound. eared: (English, from Old English ēare) - Having ears; in this compound, it refers to the physical resemblance of a folded page corner to a dog's floppy ear.