The word is a modern English compound adjective formed in the 19th century. The first element, 'zebra', entered English via Portuguese explorers from a Congolese language term for a wild equine. The second element, 'striped', derives from the Middle English 'stripe', a line or band, which has Germanic roots. The compound logically and visually describes an object bearing the distinctive, alternating dark and light band pattern characteristic of the zebra's hide, transferring a specific natural motif to manufactured or decorated items.

Structure: zebra (animal) + striped (patterned) - zebra: Origin: Portuguese, from Congolese (Kimbundu) 'zebra'. Role: Noun used attributively to denote the source of the pattern. - striped: Origin: Middle English, from the verb 'stripe' (of Germanic origin) + the past participle suffix '-ed'. Role: Adjective-forming suffix indicating the possession of a quality.