'highly' originates from Old English 'hēahlic,' meaning 'of great height or importance,' and 'linked' comes from Middle English 'linken,' derived from Old Norse 'hlekkr,' meaning 'chain or link.'

'highly' evolved from Old English 'hēahlic' to Middle English 'higli,' and 'linked' transformed from Old Norse 'hlekkr' to Middle English 'linken,' eventually forming the modern English 'highly-linked.'

Initially, 'highly' meant 'of great height,' but evolved to mean 'to a great degree,' while 'linked' maintained its meaning of 'connected.'