'dishonestly-acquired' originates from the combination of 'dishonestly' and 'acquired'. 'Dishonestly' comes from 'dishonest', which is derived from Latin 'dishonestus', where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'honestus' meant 'honorable'. 'Acquired' comes from Latin 'acquirere', where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'quaerere' meant 'seek'.

'Dishonestus' transformed into the Old French word 'deshoneste', and eventually became the modern English word 'dishonest'. 'Acquirere' transformed into the Old French word 'acquerre', and eventually became the modern English word 'acquire'.

Initially, 'dishonestus' meant 'not honorable', and 'acquirere' meant 'to seek'. Over time, 'dishonestly-acquired' evolved to mean 'obtained through deceitful means'.