The compound term "wind-power" is a modern formation that transparently combines two ancient roots to describe a specific energy technology. The first element, "wind," traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root h₂weh₁- meaning "to blow," which evolved into the Old English wind, retaining its core sense of moving air. The second element, "power," originates from the Latin verb posse ("to be able"), which entered English via Anglo-Norman French, evolving to denote the capacity to do work or produce energy. The compound's logic is directly literal, fusing the natural force (wind) with its functional application (power), creating a term that precisely denotes energy harnessed from the wind's kinetic force.

Structure: wind (air in motion) + power (energy) - wind: From Old English wind, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin ventus. The functional role is a noun acting as a modifier, specifying the source of the power. - power: From Anglo-Norman French poeir, from an alteration of Latin posse 'be able'. The functional role is the head noun, indicating the type of energy or force.