The compound 'year-end' is a transparent combination of two native English words of Germanic origin. 'Year' derives from the Old English 'gēar', a term for the cycle of seasons, which has cognates across Germanic languages. 'End' comes from the Old English 'ende', signifying a boundary or termination. When combined, the literal meaning "the end of the year" is perfectly preserved in its modern usage, specifically denoting the conclusion of a calendar or financial period, a time associated with final accounts, reviews, and celebrations.

Structure: year + end year: From Old English 'gēar', meaning a cycle of seasons, a year. Germanic origin. end: From Old English 'ende', meaning the limit, conclusion, or furthest part. Germanic origin.