'unstably-held' is a compound word formed from 'unstably' (adverb form of 'unstable', from Latin 'stabilis' meaning 'firm, stable') and 'held' (past participle of 'hold', from Old English 'healdan' meaning 'to grasp, keep').

'unstably-held' is a modern English compound, combining the adverb 'unstably' and the past participle 'held' to describe something not securely held.

Initially, the components meant 'not in a stable manner' and 'grasped or kept', and together they now mean 'not held in a stable or secure way'.