'suboptimally-divided' originates from the prefix 'sub-' meaning 'below' or 'less than,' combined with 'optimal,' which comes from Latin 'optimus' meaning 'best,' and 'divided' from Latin 'dividere' meaning 'to separate.'

'suboptimally-divided' evolved from the combination of 'suboptimal' and 'divided,' reflecting a modern usage to describe inefficient division.

Initially, it meant 'less than the best division,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.