rock-like

The compound adjective "rock-like" is a transparent modern English formation following a native Germanic pattern for creating descriptive terms. Its first element, "rock," descends from Old English, carrying the core meaning of a large stone or mass of mineral matter. The second element, "-like," originates from the Old English noun "līc" (body, form), which evolved into a prolific suffix denoting resemblance. The logic of the word is therefore direct and compositional: it literally means "having the form or characteristics of a rock," describing anything that mimics the hardness, solidity, or appearance of stone.

Structure: rock (stone) + like (resembling) - rock: From Old English rocc (stone, rock), of uncertain origin, possibly from a late Germanic base. Functions as the noun root denoting the substance. - like: From Old English līc (body, form) via the suffix -līc (having the form or body of). Functions as an adjective-forming suffix meaning "similar to" or "characteristic of".