shortish

The word 'shortish' is a transparent modern English formation, combining the native Germanic adjective 'short' with the equally native adjectival suffix '-ish'. The root 'short' descends from Proto-Germanic skurtaz, which itself likely derives from the Proto-Indo-European root (s)ker- meaning "to cut," conceptually linking shortness to something cut off. The suffix '-ish' originates from the Proto-Germanic -iskaz, used to form adjectives of origin or belonging, a function that broadened to indicate resemblance or approximation. Therefore, 'shortish' follows a classic English pattern, logically constructing a meaning of "somewhat short" by directly attaching a qualifying suffix to a core descriptive base.

Structure: short (not long/tall) + ish (having the quality of) - short: From Old English sceort, scort (short, not long, brief). Of Germanic origin. - ish: A suffix forming adjectives from nouns or other adjectives, meaning "having the qualities of," "somewhat," or "approximately." From Old English -isc, of Germanic origin.