The compound "voice-over" is a modern English formation from the 20th century, directly combining the native word "voice" with the preposition "over." The term emerged with the advent of film and broadcast technology to describe a specific production technique. Its logic is transparently literal: a voice is placed over the visual footage, existing in a separate auditory layer that comments on, explains, or narrates the action. This technical term reflects how language innovates by recombining simple, existing elements to name new concepts created by technological advancement.

Structure: voice (sound) + over (above/across) - voice: From Old French voiz, from Latin vōx (voice, sound, word). The functional role is the core semantic element, denoting the sound produced by speaking. - over: From Old English ofer (over, above, across). The functional role is a preposition/adverb particle indicating the sound is laid over or superimposed on the visual action.