The word "worthy" originates from the Old English weorþig, which was formed by combining the noun weorþ (value, worth) with the adjectival suffix -ig. The root weorþ itself can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic werþaz, meaning "toward, opposite," and further to the Proto-Indo-European root wert-, meaning "to turn, wind." The semantic evolution moved from the physical act of turning toward something to the concept of equivalent exchange or value, as in "turning into" an equivalent. Thus, "worthy" literally means "having worth" or "full of value," a sense that has remained consistent from its Old English origins to its modern abstract meaning of being deserving or meritorious.

Structure: worth + y - worth: From Old English weorþ, meaning "value, price, equal in value to". It functions as the core root conveying the sense of value or merit. - y: From Old English -ig, a suffix used to form adjectives meaning "having the quality of" or "full of".