shoulder-width
UK[ˈʃəʊldə wɪdθ]US[ˈʃoʊldər wɪdθ]
adj
Having a width equal to the approximate distance between a person's shoulders.
n
A measurement equal to the distance between a person's shoulders.
Morpheme Breakdown
shoulder
width
shoulder
body part
width
measurement
Etymology
The compound "shoulder-width" is a modern English formation that transparently combines two native Germanic elements to create a precise descriptive term. The first element, "shoulder," descends from the Old English sculdor, a word of ancient Germanic lineage referring to the body's pivotal joint. The second element, "width," is derived from the Old English adjective wīd (meaning broad or spacious) combined with the abstract noun-forming suffix -þu (modern -th), a common Germanic method for creating nouns indicating a state or quality. The compound's logic is entirely literal, directly translating the anatomical reference into a standardized unit of linear measurement, commonly used for posture, stance, or spatial arrangement.
Analysis
Structure: shoulder (body part) + width (measurement)
- shoulder: From Old English sculdor, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch schouder and German Schulter. Functions as a noun denoting the upper joint of the human arm.
- width: From Middle English widthe, formed from the adjective wide + the noun-forming suffix -th (denoting state or condition). Functions as a noun denoting the measurement of something from side to side.
Examples
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart for better balance.
The corridor was barely shoulder-width, making it difficult for two people to pass.
He cut the board to a shoulder-width to use as a temporary shelf.