the compound adjective "windswept" is a relatively modern formation from the late 18th century, directly combining two native english elements. the first element, "wind," descends from proto-germanic windaz and ultimately from the pie root we- "to blow." the second element, "swept," is the past participle of "sweep," from old english swāpan meaning "to brush, clean, or drive with force." the literal logic of the word is transparent: an area or person that appears as if it has been brushed or cleaned by the forceful action of the wind. this concrete imagery evolved to describe both landscapes perpetually exposed to strong winds and a person's untidy, blown-about hairstyle.

Structure: wind (air in motion) + swept (cleaned/brushed) wind (old english, noun, meaning "air in motion"); swept (old english, past participle of "sweep", meaning "to clean or brush with force")