moneymaker

the compound word 'moneymaker' is a transparent formation from two english elements of distinct origins. the first element, 'money', entered english via anglo-norman and old french, tracing back to the latin 'moneta', an epithet for the goddess juno in whose temple roman coinage was minted. the second element, 'maker', is a native germanic word from old english 'macian', meaning to construct or produce, with the agent suffix '-er' denoting the performer of an action. when combined in the late middle english period, the compound logically and literally described 'one who makes or acquires money', a sense that has remained remarkably stable, evolving only to encompass abstract activities and enterprises that generate significant profit.

Structure: money (wealth) + maker (one who makes) money (from old french monoie, from latin moneta 'mint, money', origin: latin, functional role: noun base denoting the object of acquisition); maker (from middle english maker, from old english macere 'maker, creator', origin: old english/germanic, functional role: agent noun suffix denoting a person or thing that performs an action)