lower-cost

The compound adjective 'lower-cost' is a modern, transparent formation built from two deeply rooted English words. 'Lower' originates from the Old English comparative form of 'low', a word of Germanic descent related to concepts of small height or degree. 'Cost' entered English via Old French from the Latin verb constare, literally meaning 'to stand together' or 'to stand at (a price)', which evolved to signify the price or expenditure required for something. The logic of the compound is direct and comparative: it describes an item or service whose price 'stands at' a point that is 'more low' than another, effectively meaning less expensive.

Structure: lower (comparative form) + cost (price/value) - lower: From Old English lāgra, comparative of lāh (low). Germanic origin. Functional role: comparative adjective. - cost: From Old French cost, from Latin constare ('to stand at, to cost'). Functional role: noun root.