'alexiteric' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'alexiterios,' where 'alexi-' meant 'to ward off' and '-teric' related to 'protection.'

'alexiterios' transformed into the Latin word 'alexitericus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alexiteric.'

Initially, it meant 'to ward off disease or poison,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.