'unlawfully-taken' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'unlawful,' where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'lawful' meant 'permitted by law.'

'unlawful' changed from the Old English word 'unlagu' and eventually became the modern English word 'unlawful.'

Initially, it meant 'not permitted by law,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.