The word 'seldom-held' is a compound formed from 'seldom' (meaning 'rarely') and 'held' (the past participle of 'hold').

'Seldom' comes from Old English 'seldan' meaning 'rarely', and 'held' is the past participle of 'hold', from Old English 'healdan'. The compound 'seldom-held' is a modern English formation.

Initially, 'seldom' meant 'rarely' and 'held' meant 'possessed or maintained'. The compound now means 'not often possessed or maintained'.