dried-out

The compound adjective 'dried-out' is a relatively modern formation, emerging from the combination of the verb 'dry' and the adverbial particle 'out'. The verb 'dry' itself has ancient Germanic roots, related to concepts of dryness and thirst. The particle 'out' is used here in its completive sense, a common function in English phrasal verbs and adjectives, to emphasize a thorough or final state. Thus, 'dried-out' literally means "thoroughly dried to completion," a meaning which extends metaphorically to describe people who are emotionally or physically depleted, as if all vitality has been completely removed.

Structure: dried (past participle of 'dry') + out (adverbial particle) - dried: From Old English drȳge (adjective) and drȳgan (verb), of Germanic origin. In this structure, it functions as the past participle of the verb 'dry', indicating a completed state. - out: From Old English ūt, of Germanic origin. In this phrasal adjective, it functions as an adverbial particle intensifying the sense of completeness or finality.