lower-price

The compound adjective "lower-price" is a modern, transparent formation built from two Germanic and Romance elements. The first element, "lower", derives from the Old English comparative form related to "low", and functions here as a verb participle meaning "reduced". The second element, "price", entered English via Old French from the Latin pretium, meaning value or cost. The compound's logic is entirely literal, directly combining the action of reducing ("lower") with the object being reduced ("price") to create an adjective describing an item whose cost has been decreased relative to a standard.

Structure: lower (to make less) + price (cost) - lower: From Old English lāgra, comparative of lǣg (low). Function: Verb-forming element meaning "to make or become less in amount, degree, or value". - price: From Old French pris, from Latin pretium (value, reward, money). Function: Noun root meaning "the amount of money expected, required, or given for something".