full-power

The compound adjective "full-power" is a transparent combination of two native English elements. "Full," with Proto-Germanic origins meaning "filled up," has consistently denoted completeness. "Power" entered English via Anglo-French, tracing back to the Latin verb posse (to be able), from the Proto-Indo-European root poti- meaning "powerful, lord." The logic of the compound is direct and literal: "full" intensifies "power" to mean operating with all available force or authority, a concept applicable from mechanical systems to legal mandates. Its formation follows the common English pattern of adjective-noun compounding to create a new descriptive term.

Structure: full (complete) + power (strength) - full: From Old English full, meaning "complete, entire." It functions as an intensifier in this compound, indicating totality. - power: From Anglo-French poer, Old French povoir, ultimately from Vulgar Latin potere (to be able). It functions as the core noun, denoting the capacity for action or control.