still-young
still-young
UK[ˌstɪl ˈjʌŋ]US[ˌstɪl ˈjʌŋ]
adj
Relatively young or younger than expected, especially in comparison to others or to a particular context.
Morpheme Breakdown
still
young
still
adverb
young
adjective
Etymology
The compound adjective 'still-young' is a modern English formation that transparently combines two native Germanic elements. The adverb 'still', with its core sense of continuity and persistence, modifies the adjective 'young' to create a nuanced meaning. This construction logically implies a state of being that remains youthful or new, often despite the passage of time or contrary to expectation. It is a descriptive phrase that has solidified into a standard hyphenated modifier, frequently used in comparative or contextual descriptions to highlight enduring youthfulness.
Analysis
Structure: still (adverb) + young (adjective)
still: From Old English stille (motionless, at rest, quiet). In this compound, it functions as an adverb meaning 'even now' or 'continuing to be'.
young: From Old English geong, of Germanic origin. It functions as the core adjective describing an early stage of life or existence.
Examples
The still-young company is already showing impressive innovation.
Despite her decades of experience, she maintains a still-young enthusiasm for her work.
The theory, while still-young, has generated significant debate in academic circles.