The compound adjective 'tear-stained' is a transparent combination of two English words. The first element, 'tear', has a deep Germanic lineage, tracing back to Proto-Germanic tahrą, and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European root dakru-. The second element, 'stained', originates from Old Norse, entering Middle English with the sense of coloring or marking, often with a negative connotation of soiling. When combined, the literal meaning 'marked by tears' creates a poignant descriptor, primarily used for faces, cheeks, or letters, evoking a clear image of recent weeping or sorrow. The logic of the word is immediately accessible, as it directly links the physical evidence (stains) to their cause (tears).

Structure: tear (tear) + stained (marked) - tear: From Old English tēar, tæhher, of Germanic origin; related to German Zähre. The functional role is the noun base meaning 'a drop of liquid from the eye'. - stained: From Middle English steinen, from Old Norse steina 'to paint'. The functional role is the past participle of the verb 'stain', meaning 'marked or discolored'.