long-legged

the compound adjective 'long-legged' is a straightforward combination of two english elements. the first element, 'long', descends from the proto-germanic 'langaz', which has retained its core meaning of linear extent throughout its history into modern english. the second element, 'legged', is formed from the noun 'leg', a middle english borrowing from old norse, to which the suffix '-ed' is added to create an adjective meaning 'possessing legs'. the logic of the compound is transparently descriptive, directly combining the attribute of length with the body part to characterize a person or animal whose legs are notably long.

Structure: long (adjective) + legged (adjective) 'long' is from old english 'lang, long', meaning 'having great linear extent'. 'legged' is derived from the noun 'leg' (from old norse 'leggr', meaning 'limb') combined with the adjectival suffix '-ed', meaning 'having or provided with'.