The compound adjective 'still-growing' is a transparent combination of Germanic elements. The adverb 'still', from Old English stille, originally conveyed a sense of calm or absence of motion. Over time, it developed a secondary, paradoxical meaning of 'continuously without cessation', which is the sense applied here. Paired with the present participle 'growing', from the Old English verb grōwan meaning to increase or develop, the term literally means 'continuously increasing'. This logical construction directly reflects its modern abstract meaning, describing a state of ongoing expansion or development, often used in economic, biological, or metaphorical contexts.

Structure: still (continuing) + growing (increasing) - still: From Old English stille (motionless, at rest, quiet). In this compound, it functions as an adverb meaning 'continuing without change'. - growing: From Old English grōwan (to grow, increase, flourish). It is the present participle of the verb 'grow', functioning here as an adjective meaning 'increasing in size or degree'.