grimy

the word 'grimy' is a relatively modern english formation, emerging in the 18th century. its core, 'grime', entered english from low germanic sources, likely middle low german 'grīm' or middle dutch 'grīm', which referred specifically to soot or dirt rubbed into a surface. the suffix '-y' is a native english adjectival suffix of ancient germanic origin, used to form adjectives meaning "abounding in" or "characterized by." thus, the literal construction "full of grime" directly and logically yields the modern meaning of being covered in ingrained dirt or filth.

Structure: grime + y grime (from middle low german or middle dutch 'grīm', meaning soot or dirt; a noun) + y (from old english '-ig', an adjective-forming suffix meaning "characterized by" or "full of").