The compound adjective "text-based" is a modern formation, emerging with the advent of computing and digital communication. The first element, "text," carries its core Latin meaning of "woven material," metaphorically extended to the structured fabric of written language. The second element, "based," utilizes the Greek-derived concept of a foundation or support. When combined, the term literally means "having text as its foundation," a logical description for systems, interfaces, or content that rely solely on alphanumeric characters. This evolution from physical foundations and woven cloth to abstract digital formats demonstrates how language repurposes ancient metaphors for new technological realities.

Structure: text (written words) + based (having as a foundation) - text: From Latin 'textus' (that which is woven, fabric, style of a literary work). In this compound, it functions as a noun modifier meaning "of or relating to written words." - based: From the past participle of the English verb 'base', ultimately from Greek 'basis' (step, pedestal, foundation). In this compound, it functions as an adjective-forming suffix meaning "having as a foundation or primary constituent."