The word 'vaguely-communicated' is a compound formed from 'vaguely' (from 'vague') and 'communicated' (past participle of 'communicate'). 'Vague' comes from French 'vague', meaning 'wandering' or 'uncertain', and 'communicate' comes from Latin 'communicare', meaning 'to share'.

'Vague' entered English from French in the 17th century, and 'communicate' from Latin via Old French in the late Middle Ages. The compound 'vaguely-communicated' is a modern English formation.

Initially, 'vague' meant 'wandering' or 'uncertain', and 'communicate' meant 'to share'. Together, 'vaguely-communicated' now means 'expressed in an unclear way'.