'legitimately-kept' originates from the word 'legitimate,' which comes from Latin 'legitimus,' meaning 'lawful,' and 'kept,' from Old English 'cepan,' meaning 'to seize or hold.'

'legitimus' transformed into the Old French word 'legitime,' and eventually became the modern English word 'legitimate.' 'Cepan' evolved into 'keep' in Middle English, forming the compound 'legitimately-kept.'

Initially, 'legitimus' meant 'lawful,' and 'cepan' meant 'to seize or hold.' Over time, 'legitimately-kept' evolved to mean 'kept in a lawful manner.'