modern-looking

The compound adjective "modern-looking" is a relatively recent formation in English, emerging from the straightforward combination of two established English words. The first element, "modern," traces its lineage to the Latin modernus, derived from modo ("just now"), which itself originates from the Proto-Indo-European root med- ("to take appropriate measures"). The second element, "looking," descends from the Old English verb lōcian, of Germanic origin. The compound follows a productive English pattern where a descriptive adjective is combined with "-looking" to create a new adjective that describes visual appearance. Thus, the literal "logic" of the word is transparent: it describes something that has the visual appearance (looking) of being contemporary or characteristic of the present era (modern).

Structure: modern (relating to the present) + looking (having the appearance of) - modern: From Latin modernus ("just now, of the present mode"), from modo ("just now"). In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning "of the present time." - looking: From Old English lōcian ("to see, gaze, look"). In this compound, it functions as a combining form meaning "having the appearance of; appearing as specified."