'alc' originates from the word 'alcohol', which comes from the Arabic word 'al-kuḥl', where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'kuḥl' referred to a powder used for eyeliner.

'al-kuḥl' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'alcohol', and eventually became the modern English word 'alcohol'.

Initially, it referred to a fine powder, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a colorless volatile flammable liquid'.