The compound adjective 'white-winged' is a transparent combination of two native English elements. 'White' descends from the Proto-Germanic 'hwītaz', a word denoting brightness and light, which itself can be traced to the Proto-Indo-European root 'ḱweyt-', meaning 'to shine'. 'Winged' is formed from 'wing', from Old Norse 'vængr', and the adjectival suffix '-ed', which indicates possession of a specified feature. The logic of the compound is purely descriptive, directly and literally characterizing a bird or other creature that possesses wings which are white in color.

Structure: white (color) + winged (having wings) - white: From Old English 'hwīt', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'wit' and German 'weiss'. Functions as an adjective describing color. - winged: From Old English 'wenged', from 'wenge' (wing) + the suffix '-ed', meaning 'having' or 'provided with'. Functions as an adjective-forming suffix.