The word "white-throated" is a modern English compound adjective formed by combining two native English words with a common adjectival suffix. "White" originates from the Proto-Germanic hwītaz, describing a bright, colorless light. "Throat" descends from Proto-Germanic þrutō, referring to the passage for swallowing and breathing. The suffix "-ed" is a productive adjectival ending in English, used to denote possession of a quality. The compound's logic is transparently descriptive, directly naming a physical characteristic (a white throat) common in the nomenclature of birds and other animals.

Structure: white (color) + throat (body part) + ed (adjective suffix) - white: From Old English 'hwīt', meaning the color white. In this compound, it functions as a descriptive modifier. - throat: From Old English 'þrote', 'þrotu', meaning the front part of the neck. In this compound, it functions as the noun being modified. - ed: A suffix from Old English '-ede', '-od', used to form adjectives from nouns, meaning "having, provided with, characterized by".