'alkalify' originates from 'alkali', specifically the Arabic word 'al-qaly', where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'qaly' meant 'ashes of saltwort'.

'alkali' changed from the Arabic word 'al-qaly' and eventually became the modern English word 'alkali'.

Initially, it meant 'ashes of saltwort', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal'.