The word 'straightway' is a compound formed from two Old English elements. The first element, 'straight', evolved from the Old English concept of being stretched or extended, implying directness and lack of deviation. The second element, 'way', has a deep Proto-Germanic origin, denoting a path or course of travel. When combined, the literal meaning is "a direct path." Over time, this spatial concept was metaphorically extended to the temporal and procedural domains, coming to signify an action taken immediately or without any intervening steps, thus following a direct course in time or method.

Structure: straight (direct) + way (path) - straight: From Middle English 'streght', from Old English 'streht' (past participle of 'streccan' meaning to stretch). It functions as an adjective/adverb root meaning direct, not curved. - way: From Middle English 'way', from Old English 'weg', meaning a road, path, or course. It functions as a noun root indicating a path or manner.