single-volume

The compound adjective "single-volume" is a transparent modern English formation. Its first element, "single," traces back to the Latin singulus, meaning "one" or "individual," which itself may derive from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "one." The second element, "volume," originates from Latin volumen, meaning "a roll" or "scroll," referring to the ancient form of books. The literal combination, "one book-roll," logically evolved to describe any work published or bound as one complete book, as opposed to a multi-volume set. This compound perfectly illustrates how English creates precise descriptive terms by combining clear, inherited morphemes.

Structure: single (one) + volume (book) - single: From Latin singulus (one, individual, separate). Functions as a combining form meaning "one" or "only one". - volume: From Latin volumen (a roll, a book, a coil). Functions as the core noun denoting a book or a physical collection of written/printed pages.