hunted
UK[ˈhʌntɪd]US[ˈhʌntɪd]
adj
seeming frightened and anxious, especially because you are being chased or are worried about something
adj
(of a place) showing signs that people or animals have been chased or killed there
Morpheme Breakdown
hunt
ed
hunt
to chase
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'hunted' is formed from the verb 'hunt', which has germanic origins tracing back to the old english 'huntian', meaning to pursue game. the '-ed' suffix is a common germanic participial ending, used to create adjectives from verbs, indicating a state resulting from an action. thus, 'hunted' literally describes the condition of having been pursued. over time, its meaning expanded from the literal sense of being chased in a hunt to encompass the figurative psychological state of appearing anxious or pursued, as well as describing places marked by such activity.
Analysis
Structure: hunt (to chase) + ed (adjective suffix)
hunt (verb): from old english huntian, meaning "to chase game". ed (suffix): from old english -ed, -od, used to form past participles and adjectives from verbs.
Examples
she had a hunted look in her eyes as she glanced over her shoulder.
the forest floor was a hunted scene, with tracks and disturbed leaves everywhere.
after the scandal broke, the politician moved with the hunted air of a fugitive.