laid-off

The compound adjective 'laid-off' originates from the phrasal verb 'to lay off', which emerged in the late 19th century in American English. The verb 'lay' carries the sense of putting or placing something, while 'off' signifies separation or removal. In the context of labor, the phrase initially meant to suspend or dismiss workers temporarily, with the implication they might be "taken back on" later. Over time, the meaning solidified to denote permanent termination due to lack of work, and the hyphenated form 'laid-off' became the standard adjectival descriptor for workers in this condition, directly deriving from the verb's past participle form.

Structure: laid (past participle of 'lay') + off (adverb/particle) laid: From Middle English 'leide', past tense and past participle of 'leien' (to lay). Ultimately from Proto-Germanic lagjaną (to lay down). Its functional role is as the past participle verb form meaning "placed" or "put". off: From Old English 'of', a preposition/adverb meaning "away, from, off". Ultimately from Proto-Germanic ab. Its functional role is as an adverbial particle indicating separation or cessation.