glassy-eyed
UK[ˈɡlɑːsi aɪd]US[ˈɡlæsi aɪd]
adj
having eyes that are fixed, expressionless, and often shiny, suggesting a lack of awareness, emotion, or consciousness, as from tiredness, drugs, or intense concentration.
Morpheme Breakdown
glassy
eyed
glassy
resembling glass
eyed
having eyes
Etymology
the compound adjective "glassy-eyed" is a relatively modern formation, combining two english elements of germanic origin. the first part, "glassy," draws on the physical properties of glass—specifically its smooth, hard, and often shiny, transparent surface—to metaphorically describe eyes that lack animation or focus. the second part, "eyed," simply denotes possession of eyes. the term's logic lies in comparing the vacant, unfocused, or fixed stare of a person to the lifeless, reflective quality of a pane of glass, effectively conveying states such as exhaustion, inebriation, or deep abstraction.
Analysis
Structure: glassy (resembling glass) + eyed (having eyes)
- glassy: from old english glæs (glass) + -y (adjective-forming suffix meaning "characterized by; full of; resembling"). origin: germanic.
- eyed: from old english ēage (eye) + -ed (adjective-forming suffix meaning "having; provided with"). origin: germanic.
Examples
after working for twenty hours straight, he stared at the computer screen with a glassy-eyed expression.
the lecture was so dull that half the audience sat glassy-eyed, barely absorbing a word.
the patient was glassy-eyed and unresponsive, a clear sign of the medication's strong effect.