shallow

The word 'shallow' originates from the Old English adjective 'sceald,' which directly meant 'not deep,' specifically describing water. It is related to Old Norse 'skjǫlr' ('shallow') and has a probable Proto-Germanic root skal-. The semantic journey is straightforward, with the core meaning of 'lacking depth' remaining remarkably stable from its ancient Germanic origins into modern English. The figurative sense, describing thought or feeling as lacking depth or profundity, is a natural metaphorical extension that developed in the late 16th century, applying the physical characteristic to the abstract realm of intellect and emotion.

The word 'shallow' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. Its core morpheme is the entire word itself, derived from Old English 'sceald' meaning 'shallow' (of water). The modern form with the '-ow' ending developed in Middle English, likely influenced by other adjectives ending similarly (e.g., 'fallow').