The compound adjective 'wind-tossed' is a transparent and descriptive formation from two native English elements. The first element, 'wind', has a stable history from its Proto-Indo-European root h₂weh₁- meaning 'to blow', which gave rise to similar words across many languages. The second element, 'tossed', originates from a later, likely Norse, verb implying a rough, agitated motion. The literal combination, meaning 'thrown by the wind', creates a vivid image of chaotic, uncontrolled movement. Over time, this compound has been applied almost exclusively in poetic or literary contexts to describe natural scenes—such as trees, seas, or hair—that are violently agitated by strong winds, perfectly preserving its original literal logic.

Structure: wind (air in motion) + tossed (thrown) - wind: From Old English 'wind', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'wind' and German 'Wind', from an Indo-European root shared by Latin 'ventus'. The functional role is the noun base, specifying the agent. - tossed: From a Scandinavian source (e.g., Old Norse 'tosa' meaning 'to tear to pieces'); the past participle form of the verb 'toss', meaning to throw something lightly or carelessly. Its functional role is the participial adjective, describing the state of being acted upon.