lawn-mower

The compound word 'lawn-mower' is a transparent and functional combination of two English elements. 'Lawn' entered English from Old French, originally denoting a woodland clearing or pasture, and evolved to specifically mean an area of managed grass. 'Mower' is an agent noun derived from the Old English verb 'māwan', meaning to cut down grass or grain. The compound was formed in the early 19th century, precisely describing the new machine invented to perform the specific task of cutting the grass on a lawn. Its etymology directly reflects its purpose: a machine (mower) for cutting the grass on a cultivated grassy area (lawn).

Structure: lawn (grass area) + mower (cutting machine) - lawn: Origin: Middle English (launde), from Old French (lande), likely of Celtic origin. Role: Noun base, specifying the object of the action. - mower: Origin: Middle English (mowere), from Old English (māwere), from the verb 'mow' (to cut down). Role: Noun, derived from an agent noun suffix '-er', indicating a person or thing that performs the action.