rubber-like

the compound adjective 'rubber-like' is a modern english formation following a transparent and productive pattern. the first element, 'rubber', originates from the material known for its elasticity, itself named from the verb 'to rub', as the substance was originally used to erase pencil marks by rubbing. the second element, '-like', is a native english suffix descended from the old english noun 'līc', meaning 'body' or 'form', which evolved into a suffix denoting resemblance. the logic of the word is straightforwardly descriptive, combining the name of a material with a suffix to create an adjective that denotes a similarity in physical properties, such as flexibility and bounce, without necessarily being made of rubber itself.

Structure: rubber (substance) + like (resembling) - rubber: (origin: english, from the verb 'to rub') the functional role is to specify the material or substance being resembled. - like: (origin: old english 'līc', meaning 'body, form') the functional role is a suffix meaning 'having the characteristics of' or 'similar to'.