'distinctly-separated' originates from the combination of 'distinctly' and 'separated', where 'distinctly' comes from Latin 'distinctus' meaning 'distinguished' and 'separated' from Latin 'separatus' meaning 'to divide'.

'distinctus' transformed into the Old French 'distinct' and 'separatus' into the Old French 'separer', eventually forming the modern English 'distinctly-separated'.

Initially, 'distinctly' meant 'in a distinct manner' and 'separated' meant 'set apart', and these meanings have largely remained the same in modern usage.