The term 'sun-blasted' is a vivid English compound that emerged from the metaphorical extension of older Germanic roots. The core concept 'blast' originates from the Proto-Indo-European root bhle- 'to blow', which in Old English described a gust of wind. Over time, 'blast' evolved to signify any violent, destructive force, such as from an explosion or intense weather. When combined with 'sun', a word of ancient Germanic lineage referring to our star, it creates the image of the sun's rays acting as a scorching, withering wind. The adjectival suffix '-ed' completes the formation, describing a state of having been ravaged by this solar force, perfectly capturing the essence of a parched and barren landscape.

Structure: sun (star) + blast (to blow violently) + ed (adjective suffix) - sun: From Old English sunne, of Germanic origin. The celestial body that gives light and heat to the earth. In this compound, it specifies the source of the damaging force. - blast: From Old English blǣst, meaning a blowing, breeze, puff of wind. It evolved to mean a violent gust, an explosive force, or a damaging influence. Here, it functions metaphorically as a verb root meaning 'to strike with violent force'. - ed: A suffix of Germanic origin used to form adjectives from verbs or nouns, indicating a state or condition (e.g., 'withered', 'frostbitten').