low-maintenance

the compound adjective 'low-maintenance' is a modern english formation from the latter half of the 20th century, directly combining two pre-existing english words. 'low', from old english 'hlāh', carries its core sense of small degree or amount. 'maintenance' entered english from old french, tracing back to latin 'manu tenēre' (to hold in the hand), which evolved to mean the action of preserving or supporting something. the compound logically fuses these concepts: something described as 'low-maintenance' literally requires a 'small amount of upkeep'. this transparent logic was first applied to objects like machinery or gardens, and later extended metaphorically to describe interpersonal relationships, indicating a person who is undemanding.

Structure: low (little) + maintenance (upkeep) low (old english, adjective, meaning 'not high, of little amount'); maintenance (old french > latin, noun, from 'manu tenere' meaning 'to hold in the hand', hence 'upkeep, support').