long-overdue

The compound adjective 'long-overdue' is a transparent and logical construction built from three native and borrowed English elements. The core concept 'due', originating from the Latin idea of a debt or obligation, establishes something that is rightfully expected. The prefix 'over-' intensifies this by implying the expected event has passed beyond its proper point in time. Finally, the initial element 'long' acts as a further intensifier, emphasizing the excessive duration of this delay. Thus, the word's literal meaning, 'expected for a long time beyond its proper date', maps directly onto its modern abstract sense of something that should have happened much earlier.

Structure: long (for a great length of time) + over (beyond) + due (owed or expected) - long: From Old English 'lang', meaning 'having great linear extent, lasting a considerable time'. In this compound, it functions as an intensifier denoting an extended period. - over: From Old English 'ofer', meaning 'above, beyond, across'. In this compound, it functions as a prefix indicating excess or surpassing a limit. - due: From Old French 'deu', past participle of 'devoir' (to owe), from Latin 'debere' (to owe). In this compound, it functions as the core adjective meaning 'expected or owed'.