radar-guided

The term is a modern compound adjective formed in the mid-20th century. Its first element, 'radar', is an acronym coined during World War II from "Radio Detection And Ranging," describing the core function of the technology. The second element, 'guide', originates from the Old English verb 'gīdan', meaning to lead or direct, a concept with deep Proto-Germanic roots. Combined with the participial suffix '-ed', the word literally means "provided with radar direction," creating a precise technical descriptor for weapons or systems whose path is controlled by radar signals.

Structure: radar (device) + guid (direct) + ed (adjective suffix) - radar: Acronym (Radio Detection And Ranging). A device or system for detecting objects. - guid: From Old English 'gīdan' (to lead, direct). A root meaning to show the way. - ed: A suffix forming adjectives from verbs or nouns, meaning "having the characteristics of" or "provided with".