'well-cited' is a modern English compound formed from the adverb 'well' and the past participle 'cited'. The verb 'cite' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'citare', where the root 'cit-' (from 'citare') meant 'to put in motion' or 'to summon'.

'cite' passed into Old French as 'citer' and then into Middle English (appearing in forms such as 'citen'/'cite'), eventually becoming the modern English verb 'cite'. The compound 'well-cited' is a later English formation combining 'well' + the past participle 'cited' to describe something that is cited often or properly.

Initially in Latin 'citare' meant 'to summon' or 'to set in motion'; over time, the sense shifted in English to 'to refer to or mention as an authority' (i.e., to cite a source). The compound 'well-cited' now carries the meaning 'frequently cited' or 'supported by citations'.