The term "supply-chain" is a modern compound noun, a product of 20th-century business logistics. Its first element, "supply," originates from the Latin verb supplere, meaning "to fill up," which evolved through Old French into English with the core sense of providing what is needed. The second element, "chain," derives from the Latin catena, referring to a connected metal series, a concept that entered English via French. The compound metaphorically fuses these concepts: the "supply" (provision of goods) is visualized as moving along a "chain" (a sequential, interlinked series of steps), creating a vivid conceptual model for the interconnected network from raw material sourcing to final product delivery.

Structure: supply (provide) + chain (series) - supply: From Latin supplere (to fill up, complete), via Old French soupplier. In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning "the act of providing." - chain: From Latin catena (chain, fetter), via Old French chaeine. In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning "a connected series."