'legally-possessed' originates from the combination of 'legal' and 'possess', where 'legal' is derived from Latin 'legalis', meaning 'pertaining to the law', and 'possess' from Latin 'possidere', meaning 'to have and hold'.

'legally-possessed' evolved from the combination of the words 'legal' and 'possess', which have been used in English since the Middle Ages.

Initially, 'legal' meant 'pertaining to the law', and 'possess' meant 'to have and hold'. The combination 'legally-possessed' has maintained its meaning of being owned in accordance with the law.