'tenuously' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'tenuis,' where 'tenuis' meant 'thin or slight.' 'Connected' comes from Latin 'connectere,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'nectere' meant 'to bind.'

'tenuis' transformed into the French word 'ténu,' and eventually became the modern English word 'tenuous.' 'Connectere' transformed into the French word 'connecter,' and eventually became the modern English word 'connect.'

Initially, 'tenuis' meant 'thin or slight,' and 'connectere' meant 'to bind together.' Over time, 'tenuously-connected' evolved to mean 'having a weak or slight connection.'