'ground-level' originates from the combination of 'ground' and 'level', where 'ground' refers to the earth's surface and 'level' indicates a flat or even surface.

'ground-level' evolved from the Old English word 'grund' meaning 'bottom' and the Old French word 'level' meaning 'even' or 'flat'.

Initially, it referred to the 'surface of the earth', but over time it evolved to mean 'at the same height as the ground'.