The compound adjective "wide-shouldered" is a straightforward descriptive formation from native English elements. The first element, "wide," originates from the Proto-Germanic wīdaz, meaning "far and broad," a concept relating to physical expanse. The second element, "shoulder," descends from Proto-Germanic skuldro, referring specifically to the body part. The suffix "-ed," used to form participial adjectives, is added to the noun to create the meaning "possessing or characterized by wide shoulders." This modern term follows a classic Germanic pattern of compounding to create vivid physical descriptions, directly linking the ancient roots for breadth and anatomy to its contemporary use in describing physique.

Structure: wide (broad) + shoulder (body part) + ed (having the quality of) - wide: From Old English wīd (spacious, broad). An adjective root describing extent. - shoulder: From Old English sculdor (shoulder of the body). A noun root. - ed: A suffix from Old English -ede, used to form adjectives from nouns, meaning "having, provided with, characterized by."