high-priced

The compound adjective 'high-priced' is a transparent formation from native English elements. The first element, 'high', derives from a common Germanic root meaning 'tall, lofty', which evolved to signify a large degree or extreme level in various contexts. The second element, 'price', entered English via Old French from the Latin pretium, originally meaning 'value' or 'worth'. The suffix '-ed' is added to the noun 'price' to create an adjective meaning 'having a price'. Thus, the literal construction 'having a high price' directly and logically conveys its modern meaning of being costly or expensive.

Structure: high (elevated) + price (cost) + ed (adjective suffix) - high: From Old English hēah, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoog and German hoch. Functions as a modifier indicating a large degree or amount. - price: From Old French pris, from Latin pretium 'reward, prize, value, price'. Functions as the core noun element meaning 'cost'. - ed: A productive English suffix forming adjectives from nouns, indicating 'having the quality of'.