the compound "tough-minded" is a modern english formation, synthesizing two elements of germanic origin. "tough" descends from old english 'tōh', conveying physical strength and durability, a concept with proto-germanic roots. "minded" derives from old english 'gemynd', meaning memory or thought, combined with the adjectival '-ed' suffix to indicate possession of a particular mental quality. the fusion creates a psychological metaphor, where mental resilience and practicality are conceptualized as a form of hardness, directly contrasting with "tender-minded" to describe a pragmatic, unsentimental approach to decision-making.

Structure: tough (hard) + minded (having a mind of a specified kind) tough: from old english 'tōh' meaning strong, tenacious; serves as an adjective describing resilience. minded: from old english 'gemynd' (mind) + '-ed' suffix; serves as an adjective-forming element meaning "having a mind of a specified kind".