The term 'web-based' is a modern compound adjective formed in the late 20th century, directly reflecting the technological infrastructure it describes. Its first element, 'web', draws on the Old English concept of a woven fabric to metaphorically describe the interconnected network of the World Wide Web, popularized by Tim Berners-Lee. The second element, 'based', originates from the Latin basis, meaning a foundation or pedestal, via French and Middle English. The compound's literal logic, "having the Web as its foundation," elegantly captures the essence of applications or services whose core functionality and access are dependent on and delivered via this global network.

Structure: web (network) + based (having a foundation) - web: From Old English webb (woven fabric, network). In this compound, it functions as a noun denoting the interconnected structure of the World Wide Web. - based: From the past participle of the verb base (to establish, to found), from the French baser, ultimately from Latin basis (foundation). In this compound, it functions as an adjective-forming suffix meaning "having as a foundation or center of operations."