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

'al-qaly' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'alkali,' 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.'