'alkyd' originates from a combination of 'alcohol' and 'acid', specifically the word 'alkyd', where 'alk-' refers to 'alcohol' and '-yd' is derived from 'acid'.

'alkyd' was coined in the early 20th century to describe a new type of synthetic resin.

Initially, it referred to a specific type of resin, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.