The term "stick-figure" is a transparent English compound from the 20th century, created to describe a minimalist style of drawing. The first element, "stick," draws on its Old English root meaning a slender piece of wood, metaphorically extended to describe the thin, straight lines that form the limbs and torso. The second element, "figure," from the Latin figura (to form or shape), denotes the representational form of a person or creature. Combined, the term logically and literally describes a figure drawn with lines resembling sticks, emphasizing its simplicity and lack of detailed form.

Structure: stick (long, thin piece of wood) + figure (shape or form) - stick: From Old English sticca (a rod, peg, or piece of wood). In this compound, it functions as a noun adjunct, describing the material or style of the drawing. - figure: From Latin figura (shape, form, figure), via Old French. In this compound, it functions as the head noun, indicating the thing being represented.