footstool
UK[ˈfʊtstuːl]US[ˈfʊtstuːl]
n
a low stool for resting the feet on when sitting.
Morpheme Breakdown
foot
stool
foot
body part
stool
seat
Etymology
the word 'footstool' is a transparent english compound, formed by directly combining two old english nouns. 'foot' derives from proto-germanic 'fōts', which has cognates across indo-european languages from the pie root 'pṓds'. 'stool' comes from proto-germanic 'stōlaz', from the pie root 'stā-', meaning 'to stand', reflecting its function as something upon which one stands or sits. the compound logically describes an object designed as a seat specifically for the feet, a concept that has remained consistent from its old english origins to its modern use denoting a piece of furniture for comfort.
Analysis
Structure: foot (body part) + stool (seat)
foot (from old english 'fōt', meaning the terminal part of the leg); stool (from old english 'stōl', meaning a seat without a back or arms).
Examples
she propped her tired feet on the embroidered footstool.
the old armchair was accompanied by a matching leather footstool.
he used the sturdy wooden footstool to reach the top shelf.