skin-tight

the compound adjective "skin-tight" is a modern english formation that vividly combines two old english roots. "skin" derives from old norse "skinn" (animal hide), which replaced the old english "hyd" in common usage. "tight" originates from old english "þēht" (dense, solid), a variant of "þīht", related to middle low german "dicht". the compound first appeared in the late 19th century, directly employing the literal meanings of its components to describe clothing that fits as closely and snugly as one's own skin, leaving no looseness. this transparent metaphor leverages the familiar concepts of the body's outermost layer and the state of being firmly stretched to create an instantly comprehensible descriptor for fashion and textiles.

Structure: skin + tight skin (old english, noun, meaning the outer covering of a body) + tight (old english, adjective, meaning fixed, drawn, or stretched so as not to be loose)