'rarely-altered' originates from the combination of 'rarely,' meaning 'not often,' and 'altered,' meaning 'changed or modified.'

'Rarely' comes from Middle English 'rarelī,' and 'altered' comes from the Latin 'alterare,' meaning 'to change.'

Initially, 'rarely' meant 'seldom' and 'altered' meant 'changed.' Together, they convey the idea of something that is not often changed.