'underprivileged' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' and the word 'privileged,' which comes from Latin 'privilegium,' meaning 'a law applying to one person.'

'privilegium' transformed into the Old French word 'privilege,' and eventually became the modern English word 'privileged.' The prefix 'under-' was added to denote lack of privilege.

Initially, it meant 'lacking privilege,' and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lacking basic necessities or advantages.'