'actual-size' originates from the combination of 'actual,' meaning 'real or true,' and 'size,' referring to the dimensions of an object.

'actual' comes from the Latin word 'actualis,' meaning 'pertaining to action,' and 'size' from the Old French 'sis,' meaning 'size or dimension.'

Initially, 'actual' meant 'pertaining to action,' but over time it evolved to mean 'real or true,' and 'size' has consistently referred to dimensions.