seeing-eye
UK[ˈsiːɪŋ aɪ]US[ˈsiːɪŋ aɪ]
adj
Used to describe a dog that is specially trained to guide a blind person.
Etymology
The term "seeing-eye" is a modern English compound, originating in the 20th century. It was popularized and trademarked by The Seeing Eye, the first guide dog school in the United States, founded in 1929. The compound creatively combines the concepts of vision ("seeing") and the organ of sight ("eye") to metaphorically attribute the guiding function of the dog to its handler. This lexicalization represents a functional shift where the noun phrase is used attributively as an adjective, describing the specialized purpose of the animal.
Analysis
This is a fixed compound adjective formed from the present participle "seeing" and the noun "eye". It functions as a single lexical unit.
Examples
She relies on her seeing-eye dog to navigate the city streets safely.
The organization trains seeing-eye dogs and pairs them with visually impaired individuals.
He has had his loyal seeing-eye companion for over five years.