evergreen

The word 'evergreen' is a transparent compound formed from two native English elements. The first element, 'ever', derives from the Old English adverb 'ǣfre', which broadly meant "always" or "at any time". The second element, 'green', comes from the Old English adjective 'grēne', directly describing the color of living vegetation. When combined, the literal meaning "always green" perfectly describes plants that retain their foliage throughout all seasons, in contrast to deciduous trees. This botanical term was then metaphorically extended by the 19th century to describe anything that retains its freshness, vitality, or popularity indefinitely, much like the enduring leaves of a pine or holly tree.

Structure: ever + green - ever (Old English): From Old English 'ǣfre', meaning "always, ever, at any time". In this compound, it conveys the sense of "always, perpetual". - green (Old English): From Old English 'grēne', meaning "the color green; of the color of living plants". It refers to the color and state of foliage.