full-year

The compound adjective 'full-year' is a transparent modern English formation. Its first element, 'full', derives from the Proto-Germanic fullaz, carrying the sense of 'plenty, completeness'. The second element, 'year', originates from Proto-Germanic jērą, referring to a cycle of seasons. When combined, the literal meaning 'complete year' logically extends to describe any activity, measurement, or status that encompasses the entirety of a twelve-month cycle, contrasting with partial-year periods like quarters or semesters.

Structure: full (complete) + year (period of time) 'full' is from Old English 'full', meaning 'complete, entire', of Germanic origin. 'year' is from Old English 'gēar', meaning 'year', of Germanic origin.