The term 'rarely-supplied' is a compound adjective formed from 'rarely' and 'supplied'. 'Rarely' originates from Middle English 'rarelī', meaning 'seldom', and 'supplied' comes from the Latin 'supplere', meaning 'to fill up'.

'Rarely' evolved from Middle English 'rarelī', while 'supplied' transformed from the Latin 'supplere' through Old French 'souplir'.

Initially, 'rarely' meant 'seldom' and 'supplied' meant 'to fill up'. The compound adjective 'rarely-supplied' retains these meanings, indicating something not often provided.