fine-looking

The compound adjective 'fine-looking' is a relatively modern English formation, combining two native elements. The first, 'fine', traveled from Latin through Old French into Middle English, its meaning shifting from a sense of completion or perfection to a general term for high quality. The second, 'looking', derives from a common Germanic verb for seeing. When combined, the literal sense of "appearing good" directly and transparently conveys the modern abstract meaning of being physically attractive or handsome, with the logic resting on the straightforward equation of a good appearance with aesthetic appeal.

Structure: fine (good) + looking (appearing) 'fine' is from Old French 'fin', meaning "perfect, exquisite", ultimately from Latin 'finis', meaning "end, limit, boundary" (implying the highest point of quality). 'looking' is the present participle of the verb 'look', from Old English 'lōcian', meaning "to see, gaze".