The term 'long-fingered' is a compound word formed from 'long' and 'fingered', where 'long' originates from Old English 'lang', meaning 'having great linear extent', and 'fingered' is derived from 'finger', which comes from Old English 'finger', meaning 'digit of the hand'.

'Long-fingered' has remained relatively unchanged in its form and meaning since its inception in the English language.

Initially, it meant 'having fingers of great length', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.