The word 'frequently-cited' is a compound adjective formed from 'frequently' (from Latin 'frequentia' meaning 'a crowd, multitude') and 'cited' (from Latin 'citare' meaning 'to summon, call, put in motion').

'Frequently' and 'cited' were combined in modern English to form the compound adjective 'frequently-cited', used especially in academic and formal contexts.

Initially, 'frequently' meant 'often' and 'cited' meant 'mentioned or referred to'; together, they have always meant 'often mentioned or referred to'.