six-foot-six
UK[ˌsɪks fʊt ˈsɪks]US[ˌsɪɪks fʊt ˈsɪɪks]
adj
measuring six feet and six inches in height or length
n
a person or thing that is six feet and six inches tall or long
Etymology
the term "six-foot-six" is a modern english compound adjective and noun phrase formed through the straightforward combination of the old english numeral "six" and the unit "foot," which itself derives from the old english "fōt," related to the proto-germanic "fōts" and ultimately the proto-indo-european "pṓds." the logic of the construction is purely descriptive, following the standard english convention for stating height: a numeral for feet, the word "foot," and a numeral for inches. the hyphenation solidifies the multi-word phrase into a single lexical unit that functions adjectivally or nominally. its meaning is entirely compositional, directly reflecting the sum of its literal parts without metaphorical abstraction.
Analysis
this compound hyphenated term is formed from three cardinal numbers ("six") and a unit of measurement ("foot"). it is not productively segmented into classical morphemes but is a modern english compounding pattern.
Examples
the basketball team recruited a new center who is six-foot-six.
the clearance under the bridge is exactly six-foot-six.
he needed a six-foot-six ladder to reach the roof safely.