'sporadically-applied' originates from the combination of 'sporadic' and 'applied'. 'Sporadic' comes from the Medieval Latin 'sporadicus', meaning 'scattered', and 'applied' is derived from the Latin 'applicare', meaning 'to attach or join'.

'sporadicus' transformed into the English word 'sporadic', and 'applicare' evolved into 'apply', eventually forming the compound adjective 'sporadically-applied'.

Initially, 'sporadic' meant 'scattered or isolated', and 'applied' meant 'put into practice'. Together, they convey the idea of something being implemented irregularly.