'plainly-crafted' is a compound word formed from 'plainly' and 'crafted.' 'Plainly' comes from 'plain,' which originates from Old French 'plain,' meaning 'flat, smooth, simple,' and 'crafted' is the past participle of 'craft,' from Old English 'cræft,' meaning 'strength, skill.'

'Plainly' evolved from Old French 'plain' and Middle English 'pleine,' while 'crafted' comes from Old English 'cræft.' The combination as 'plainly-crafted' is a modern English formation.

Initially, 'plainly' meant 'in a simple or clear manner,' and 'crafted' meant 'made with skill.' Together, 'plainly-crafted' came to mean 'made simply and clearly, without decoration.'