record-company

The term 'record-company' is a modern compound noun from the 20th century, directly combining two established English words. The first element, 'record', originates from the Latin verb recordari, meaning 'to remember', which itself is built from re- ('again') and cor ('heart, mind'). This evolved through the concept of preserving sound for future recollection. The second element, 'company', stems from the Late Latin companionem, implying a fellowship or group sharing a meal, which broadened to signify any organized association. The compound's logic is transparent: it denotes a commercial enterprise (company) whose primary business is the production and distribution of sound recordings (records).

Structure: record (noun) + company (noun) - record: From Latin recordari ('to remember, call to mind'), via Anglo-French recorder. In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning 'a disc on which sound is registered'. - company: From Late Latin companionem ('bread fellow, one who eats bread with you'), via Old French compaignie. It functions as a noun meaning 'a commercial business'.