palm-size

the compound "palm-size" is a modern english formation that transparently combines two established english words. "palm" derives from the latin "palma," which referred both to the palm tree and the flat of the hand, likely due to the similar shape of a palm frond. "size" has a more complex journey, originating from the latin verb "assidere" (to sit beside), which evolved through old french to denote a fixed amount or regulation, and later, a standard dimension. the logic of the compound is purely descriptive, directly comparing an object's physical dimensions to the area of a human palm to convey compactness and portability.

Structure: palm (hand) + size (dimension) palm (from old english 'palm', meaning the palm of the hand, of latin origin via 'palma'); size (from old french 'sise', a shortening of 'assise', meaning an ordinance or a fixed amount, ultimately from latin 'assidere' meaning to sit beside, settle).